My 2 year old daughter won't stop crying. It's been really bad the last few days. She cries on the way to daycare in the morning (the whole 45 min trip) and then starts again when i pick her up in the afternoon. when we're in the car I try and ask her what's wrong, i suggest things that could be wrong, i try reasoning with her then when all else fails and she won't tell me anything, I turn the music up and ignore her for a while and then try everything again. she almost never stops until we'e actually home. ten she's happy for a while at home, she'll go play with her toys in her room, i make dinner and we eat together and all is well. then if something goes wrong or i tell her no for any reason, the crying (more like screaming) starts again. i try reasoning with her and if it doesn't work (which now most of the time it doesn't) i send her to her room to cool off. then after a while she'll be perfectly happy again until bedtime the screaming starts again. i am at my wits end! i feel like a need a break, but i ask for help from my parents and they always say they are busy and can't do much. I get a babysitter maybe, MAYBE, once every 2 months for a couple hours on a fri or sat night. I am going crazy! is this normal for her to scream and cry so much? one thing i cannot handle is crying and screaming, it just puts me in a stressed and bad place. i can't even function while she screams, i have to put myself in my room too and just lay on my bed until she stops. i just don't know what's wrong! she has enough vocabulary skills to tell me if something is hurting her (she tells me all the time with other problems). i don't give in so i know it's not inconsistency. i'm starting to think daycare may be giving in to her every want and need and turning around everything i teach her, but she's been going to daycare since she was 6 weeks old. nothing has changed, we have the same routine, the same people are in our life. i just don't know what's going on! any help would be excellent!
Oh I feel for you, I am in the same boat. So maybe it is normal? I don't know, I wish someone could tell me. Sorry I don't have any advise for you, I just wanted to let you know the same thing is going on with me and maybe this is normal for 2 yr old little girls? Have you gotten any good responses?
It's like you took the words right out of my mouth!!! I have the exact same problem with my two year old daughter. It looks like you have some good advice allready but I would like to add one thing. When you have some free time one day go to daycare early and just watch her without being spotted by her, to see how she is enteracting with the kids and teacher. Let the daycare know what your doing ahead of time. If I had the option to stay home and watch my daughter I would in a heart beat. I think the state guide lines for child to teacher ratio in daycares is unrealistic, who in there right mind can handle ten two year olds. So watch her she might feel like she isn't getting enough attention at school, watch the teacher too and see how she interacts with your daughter.
Welcome to the world of toddlers - UGH! I have four kids 8,7,4, and 2, and I KNOW your angst!! I always tell people that 2-3 year olds seem to need exorcisms daily! HA HA!
Here's what has helped us - all can be found using the link/site below:
Get the wonderful book?DVD - Happiest Toddler on the Block. Here's where you can get it - it's on the Mom's Picks!page
http://astore.amazon.com/motherandbabe0c-20/002-###-###-#... This is a God-send as it really helps you understand why they behave the way they do, and how you can stop it from escalating/happening!
Earplugs - may sound funny, but when you're about to crack - a little muffling HELPS! Keep a set in the car too!
Calms Forte - a homeopathic remedy that has calming herbs like chamomille....for kids and parents.
Finally, pick up a squirt botttle at any store. I know it sounds crazy, but it has been a life-saver to have one in the car and one chilled in the fridge for outbursts. My kids respond well to just the mere threat of the squirt bottle - lol.
Almost forgot - flax seed-oil (with Omega 3) really helps with moods and even brain development (kids and moms) - there is alot of info on the web if you research it. I put it in oatmeal, smoothies, etc and WOW what a difference it makes in ALL of us. It's amazing.
DEFINITELY get some you-time so you can decompress.
GOOD LUCK!
Honestly D. she is in the terrible 2's my son does the same thing and I think I am a bad parent because I can't handle it!! I'm not sure how to stop as I am in the same boat tring everything with mine, if she doesn't seem sick have you tried time-outs when she does that? People have told me that my son is just testing me when he does that. Maybe talk to other parents at the day care and see if anyone's kids have told them anything bad about that place. Good Luck!!
Hello!! Hmmm...the first thing I thought of is that maybe she has an inner ear infection or fluid in her ears? Incessant crying is what my youngest DD did and it was the only way I even knew she had an ear infection. Just a thought!! Maybe have a pediatrician rule out that she doesn't have a uti or just teething molars coming in as well? Good luck and let us know how it goes!! H.
When my one year old whines I tell him to "use his words". (We are teaching him sign language so he knows about 15 signs and he has started talking). I would tell your daughter that you don't understand what she wants when she cries/whines and she needs to tell mommy what she wants. Look her in the eye or get down to eye level when you talk to her. Then follow up and follow through with what she tells you.
Is she hungry when she gets done at day care? I think for any kiddo you always cover the basics - are they warm/chilly? Are they uncomfortable/wet/poopy? Are they hungry? Are they tired?
Not sure if this helps at all, but maybe somewhere to start.
good luck!!
I think this is pretty common behaviour for a kid her age. She is probably just trying to get attention. She's testing you and it may take some time for her to realize that her methods are not working. When my son does this, I tell him once that I can't understand him when he whines and cries and then I just ignore him (no talking or eye contact) until he stops and only give him attention when he calms down again. When we are at home I tell him to go to his room until he calms down. If he comes out before he is calm I just steer him right back. Make sure that she gets no attention, positive or otherwise, for her behaviour (I would stop reasoning with her if I were you. She's probably too out of control to reason with effectively at that point and she probably sees how upset you get when it doesn't work and is encouraged to keep it going). Eventually she will accept that when she cries like that she will only be ignored and will find other ways to express what she wants (my son now asks me if I will come play with him instead of just getting upset). Just don't give up and realize that this is no reflection on you as a parent. If you can manage to not take it personally and stay calm, you will be much more effective as your daughter will see that it doesn't get to you.
Also, if you are concerned about how they respond to behaviour like this at her daycare, talk to her teacher about it and tell them how you would like them to deal with it (although many times I find out that my son doesn't even do stuff for them that he does for me). If they don't seem willing to work with you, you might consider a new daycare.
Good luck!
B.
Have her evaluated by Arizona Early Intervention program. There may be a reason for her issues and they should be able to help. AzEIP is a wonderful program through DES and is FREE. Call and tell them your concerns. That she is crying/screaming all the time and that she is inconsolable.
I went through the same thing with my daughter, and after she received OT from them she was wonderful!
