We just got back from a very long car trip to northern California and back. Since we have gotten back my 3 1/2 year old has started sucking her thumb, she has also be spending time alone in her bedroom, just laying there on her bed sucking her thumb, I have had a hard time putting her for a nap( since she was 2) during the day and now she says she is tired and goes right to sleep, she also crawls on my lap and curls up like a little baby. I am a little concered about all these behaviors, mostly the thumb sucking. She has always been very active, happy little girl. We spent time with family in various locations of Cali, but she was having fun, swimming and playing. She was not alone with anyone at anytime so I am not worried about anything like that. Was the trip just too much for her? What else can I do? My girls and always do things together and I try and spend extra time with her alone, but she just seems sad.
Maybe she is just tiered and maybe something else is bothering her. U know what works great w/ my girls? Play dolls! Grab a couple of barbie dolls and play make believe. U have no idea how much of real life comes up in playing. Worst comes to worst. Talk to her Pedi. Maybe they can help u out w/ something or recommend u to a specialist. Hope all turns out ok for u. Good Luck and Good looking out for ur girls!
J., I have a little girl who is going to be 5 years old next month, and she has sucked her thumb since in the womb. Between a Prayer Bear that she got when baptisted (and looks like it is hanging together by a thread) and that one thumb they are her relief. Everybody laughs when they see her with that bear and her thumb because they know if she doesn't have them she is misreable. She sucks only the left thumb (NEVER THE RIGHT) so much her nail is disfigured. She even had the nailbed turn green and I got worried about fungus, but her DR.s said the finger is fine, and it is. Talk to your daughter, dr. and teachers or whom ever is around helping you and see if they notice and changes. SHe might just be missing her daddy. Mine acts different to when her dad leaves to Mexico too. Best of Luck
She's probably tired and maybe she's going thru a growth sprut and her body is hurting but she can't really tell you what's going on b/c she doesn't know what's going on. The thumb suck is weird but it's a pleasure sensation and she may have started it on the trip as a way to soothe herself to sleep and relax.
Get her to the doctor just in case for a check up.
Hope everything is well and Good Luck
-L.
Thumb sucking, wanting to carry a stuffed animal or a blanket are all positive coping skills for small children. I would still visit with your pediatrician if things don't change in a day or so but I know when my family gets back from a long trip we usually take several days to recoup. It can take longer if we flew versus driving. The change in altitude, climate, food, it can all take a toll on us even when we are having fun. And it could also be that she's missing daddy. Good luck!
It could be a number of things. I have two thumb suckers (even though one is way past the age to quit), and they both started almost from birth, but my niece didn't start until she was almost 1 1/2. Basically, she was fine until she got around my kids. I think sometimes it can be a learned behavior. Someone else does it and likes ti so I'm going to try it too. The biggest thing is don't worry about it too much now. You can reinforce not doing it by brining it to her attention everytime you catch her doing it. If she refuses to stop, don't make a scene. Just explain that big girls don't suck their thumbs. Eventually, the reinforcement should help to stop the problem. If you get into the 5yr range and have exhausted all the home remedies for stopping it, then you might want to talk with a dentist and/or doctor because once the permanent teeth start coming in, the habit will misalign them. (mucho $$$$ for orthodontic work, I'm gonna have an ugly bill with 2). Ultimately if your really concerned, talk with her physician.
Debi
I think it is very possible that she probably was very active during her trip and now maybe she does need some alone time. I also think she might be missing her daddy, I'm sure you do this already but I would just try to talk to her and let her know that if she wants to tell you anything she won't be get in trouble and just cuddle her. I know sometimes my daughters both just want me to hold them and have quiet days. If her behavior continues I would take her to the doctor and just confirm that nothing bad has happened, I know as a mother I would like to think that nobody that is around my girls would ever hurt them but it never hurts to make sure especially if her behavior has changed dramatically.
