Infant Daughter Suddenly a Drama Queen

I vote teething. What happens if you give her some motrin? She may just be more sensitive/irratable because of it.

I know the feeling of being a single parent while Daddy is away this time. Our son, is becoming intolerable in the way he acts. What your going to have to do is just let her cry and fuss and go on about your day, more likely the brother will just relax and let everything go if you don't make a big deal about it. But in turn he sees sister getting attention therefore he wants some. Try making sure they are happy with their toy and then go on about your business, or a little later in the day load them up in the stroller or whatever and go for a walk in the park. Try to keep some normality in your life while daddy is away. I know its hard (its hard this time too esp trying to get a little one settled in a new house) but it'll be okay.

Best of luck!

Hi A.,
I have a drama queen too!! Its really crazy, we like to say she goes from 0-60 in 1 second flat :) You seem to be very in tune with what typically upsets her, can't get a toy, wants to be picked up, etc. Since you have 2 to deal with, she's going to have to pick up some patience. With my 1 drama queen, I used to get so flustered and wonder what was going on and if she had some neurological disorder or something, but there is nothing wrong. You want to be careful that you don't let her train you too well that she quicks to tantrum all the time if she doesn't get her way. I found that amazingly, when my drama queen is really upset she will sometimes be calmed down if we just put her quietly in her crib and turn the mobile on. Its almost like she wants some alone time...So, maybe if trying to distract her doesn't work, or you can't put the other one down for a bouncy walk around the house with her, try just setting her down in a quiet place for awhile? Shut the door so she doesn't get her twin started? I would say don't give her tylenol unless you are sure she has a fever or is hurting in some way. I think you would probably know for sure if she was crying bc she was in pain. Not sure this helped any...I think when she gets a little older and can understand punishment, you can probably get a better grip on her tantrums. My cousin told me that they just started using "time out" or the "naughty seat" on their 15 month old for hitting/biting. They said they were amazed that she totally understands what is going on...best of luck!

I also have twins that are now 4 and when they were little they sometimes cried at the same time. I tried to calm them both at the same time and it never worked. You just have to calm one at a time, so putting one in the crib or pack-n-play while you are helping the other is a good idea. Now if your daughter is only doing it for attention, my view is that you just let her pitch a fit because if you keep responding to it, she's going to keep on doing it. I would also like to invite you to the Downstate Delaware Mothers of Multiples group. We meet the first Tuesday of each month and discuss whatever is on our minds or we have a speaker come in. It's another great place to get advice/suggestions. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 6 at the Kent County Levy Court building (across from Value City). Good luck with your twins and I hope to see you at the meeting.

Hi A.,
The spontaneous crying could be teething or an ear infection. Has your daughter been to the dr. lately?
As for the crying when something gets bumped/bruised, etc. try comforting her while you are standing still. pull her in to a hug, kiss the bump and just stand/sit there until she stops crying. I wouldn't walk around the house. Its not like when they were younger and the movement calmed them in to sleeping. Standing or sitting in one spot for a moment, shows her that you care, you give her a moment to cry it out, and then move on. Walking around trying to soothe her will encourgage her to drag it out because then she's getting all of your attendtion.
When she gets hysterical I wouldn't put her in her room. I would find a different spot. I try to keep the thought of the bedroom being a fun, comfort spot so that they'll not fight too much when its bed time, not a punishment. If she's hyper over a bump, I wouldn't put her in a timeout spot. She needs to learn to cry it out and move on. If she's hyper over a toy being taken or not listening, then I would put her in a timeout spot like a corner in the kitchen or something.

Hi A.,

There is a Fleet and Family Support Centers at ###-###-#### or the web at www.ffscnorva.navy.mil

Find a support group for mom's with twins. The FFSCNORVA

may know of one, if not, check the web. There is a support group for mom's at:

http://attachmentparenting.meetup.com that may be helpful.

Good luck. D.

My daughter is the same way, however she is 3. So when she acts that way, I pick her up and put her in her bedroom upstairs, leaving the door open (since she can't open it on her own), and tell her that when she is done crying, she can come downstairs and talk to mommy. It works very well. My 5 year old too, if she starts to get crazy with some fit, I tell her to go to her room, cry it out, and get control of herself...then she can come down and talk to me like a big girl. It works for her too. THen when they feel ready, they can just come down. Although, yours is too young for that. And it does sound like there may be other issues behind it, such as possibly teething or your hubby being gone (we are military too). I am sorry to say, I don't have much of an idea to help you out for that age group...but since it is getting warmer weather, if you have a double stroller (which I am thinking you must with twins!), when she gets this way, pop them both in the stroller and go for a walk, and maybe that will distract them both from whatever craziness is going on, and calm them. Other than that, you can only be spread so thin, and even though they are young...they do need to understand that in those situations. Maybe buy a set of ear plugs, put them both in swings or something, and do a bit of picking up the house around them...so they can still see you, and know you care abut them, are aware, but to let them know they need to cry it out and understand that you cannot just drop the other twin and only deal with one, when they are upset. Sorry if I wasn't much help! Last resort...invite a relative or friend to come visit!
K.

Hi A.. I know what you are going thru. I have a soon to be 3 yr old girl and she gets like that sometimes when I scole her and she starts to cry. I do believe that her father not being around may have a little to do with it. My daughter doesnt act up when she is with him but as soon as I come around, its all over. But the only thing that I can advice that works for me is giving her time out. She is at the age that she can learn why she is being givin time out. Us mothers need to start teaching our children from an early age who the mothers are and the tantrums need to stop. So she wont feel left out and ignored, have her help around the house with chores. Let her help you with the laundry, sweeping and even washing dishes. You know children love water. And it helps them to feel independant. Hope everything works out.

My twin daughters are 7 now. I also have an 18 yr. old son & a 12 yr. old daughter. I feel your pain! The twins are just learning to get your attention. They will calm down & you will get used to it just the same. It's hard, but it's going to also be a lot of fun.
Good luck!!