My 4yo son gets set off when he doesn’t have control, or rather, when he has something in his head (ie I want to play the game this way, or I want to be first in line), and then it doesn’t work out that way. He reacts before he thinks, and that sometimes results in a tantrum, throwing something, or hitting.
How can we help him slow down, process what’s going on, then react? How can we get him to express his thoughts in words, more calmly?
We are switching from crib to bed and it's not going well. Help!
We are on day 9 (feels like 900) of my sons sleep journey. We started with the book at bedtime and whenever he asked, which was often, removed his crib, set up his room and he was excited. For two nights it was perfect. He just went to sleep for naps and bedtime no issues. Then the novelty wore off for him and it sunk in.
We are going in 4-6 times a night and I am exhausted and dad is slammed with work, he needs to function; we both do. What do we do about this looooong ‘go to sleep’ time?
How do I know my child is ready for kindrgarten?
My 4yo daughter's tantrums are overwhelming me. Help!
My daughter's tantrums have become more frequent and intense (she just turned 4), and seem to be triggered by the most insignificant things: someone moved a box, or something is not in the right order, or the ponytail is bothering her. She will drop to the floor, scream, kick, and say “mama a la basura”, “don’t like you anymore”, “I want you to die”…. This can be at home or middle of the street or in any public space.
I am honestly struggling with her.
My child isn't handling boredom well. What is the healthy thing to do?
My daughter cannot handle boredom. Not only can she not handle it, she gets mean about it and lacks the creativity to entertain herself.
I thought the problem was our minimalist toy collection so I got her a doll house, a baby doll with accessories and a whole wardrobe for said doll. It wasn't it.
She has access to art supplies, a camera, a bike, our tiny garden... not to mention we go to the park every single day.
What should I do?
My mom guilt is on full power. Help!
My question is more on the mom guilt. My son will ask me, “Mami, can you play with me?” and 9/10 times I can’t either because of the baby or cooking or just getting things in the house in order. He will ask mama and 6/10 she will play with him but not as much as before. So the last two times in school when they have asked him, “what are you doing this weekend?” and he has said, “ I am going to play by myself then go to my friend's birthday party” or “ I am going to play paw patrol by myself.” Before he would always say I am going to play with mami or mama. I don’t know if this is a sign that he is not getting enough attention or if it is my mom guilt that just feels bad.
Is it not enough attention, mom guilt or normal? Help!
My daughter always feels cheated. What language should we be using to help her through this?
Hoping to get your perspective on fairness and equality as it seems to be a big theme with my daughter. Everything these days is about feeling upset because so and so has something that is different from hers. For example, her sister’s cup of water is more full than hers, her sister gets to ride a scooter and she has a bike, Mommy's costume came earlier than hers, it goes on and on and on sometimes with big tantrums. We have been validating her feelings around it but we want to understand why she always feels cheated somehow that what she has is not as good as someone else. Also what language should we be using to help her through this?
How do I get my 4 year old to do anything without consequences?
1. How do I get my 4 year old to do anything without consequences?
Such as “if you don’t clean up your toys they will go away, if you don’t put your shoes on you will not come to the birthday party” etc..
2. Regarding rewards, he is having a regression with using the toilet since I started potty training my little one, so I am offering him rewards for days he stays dry to encourage him to not pee his pants. Am I doing it all wrong?
What is the best way to explain to my 4yo son that he is adopted and he has two moms?
As you know my son is adopted and we do yearly visits with his biological parents. Last year we did FaceTime because of COVID but this year we will do it in person with the precautions needed for everybody to be safe of course. He is now about to be 4 and we have always spoken about adoption openly in the house as we don’t keep it a secret. I asked him if he remembered ( let’s refer to bio dad as XYZ and bio mom as ABC ) and he said, “who is XYZ and ABC?” I don’t know what wording to use for him to understand. I have told him that he grew in ABC’s tummy like his brother grew in mine but that’s about it. I get stuck on how to continue the explanation.
When my child says they're scared and won't go to bed, what's really happening?
When I put my daughter down last night we went through our typical routine but she kept asking when dad would be home from his run and when he would come kiss her goodnight. As soon as I got in the rocking chair (I sit in it until she falls asleep) she started saying "I'm scared, I'm scared" on repeat. She couldn't tell me what she was scared of just that she wanted me to lay in her bed.
Should I be worried that my 4.5yo daughter is counting everything? Is it OCD??
I have noticed that my daughter has been doing a lot of counting, like pulling out the toilet paper and saying 1,2,3,4 1/2 (b/c of course she is 4 1/2) then stopping and doing it for other things too like when she has to get out of the bath.
I dealt with some OCD in my teen years and of course my mama bear red flag goes up when I witness this. Any thoughts on this and when it should be concerning?
How do I explain death to my 4yo?
A very dear friend of mine died by suicide last week. My 4yo daughter who is obsessed with death, saw me crying yesterday during his memorial service and afterwards. She wanted to know why I was crying and I told her that my friend had died and told her some stories about him and times that she had been with him too. Then she wanted details…
My son seems irritated by my tone or when I celebrate him. Why?!
Why is it that my son doesn’t like for me to respond to anything positively?
For example, If I say something is “cute” he responds with “Don’t say that word!!!” OR if I celebrate something (without being loud), “don’t do that mama! I don’t like it when you do a happy dance!!!!” OR sometimes it’s the most random thing like “ok guys it’s time to take a bath!” He responds with “WHY do you say it like that???! I know we have to take a bath! But don’t say it like that!”
This has been happening for months but lately it seems to be happening more often. Did he turn 13 all of a sudden?
My daughter leans on anxious and is having potty accidents. How can I help her?
We are currently dealing with running to the bathroom every 5-10 mins saying she has to go pee and nothing coming out. This happened about a year ago and it was resolved but this time she is actually having many accidents a day and soaking through her underwear. I am pretty sure it's not happening at school but have a note to her teachers to confirm. When I ask her about it she says "I was having too much fun playing” or “I was too cozy in bed to get up" which makes me think she is in control of it but sometimes it happens 4 times in an hour.
My 4.5yo is scowling and and tightening his fist when upset. Is this normal?
My children are having tantrums when having to do something they don't want to do.
My daughter has developed fear of the dark and being alone. Help!
My daughter has returned home with fear. This is a new one for us but it started at my moms house which she said was haunted. She was scared to be in various rooms by herself and would scream out of nowhere, or have dad hold her all night in his arms. Now that we are home she is also nervous to be alone.
My daughter's feelings go 0-60 in 2 seconds! Why?? How can I help her?
Our dog is sick and might pass away. Should I include my children to say goodbye?
We’re in a very weird stage now as we don’t know how much longer our dog has with us.
I've been crying a whole lot lately and the kids know she’s not doing well. Tonight we dropped her off at the er and we don’t know if she’ll come back home though I’m hopeful.
We’ve been talking to the kids and answering their questions as best as we can... but if I’m being honest, I’d love some space to just be sad, which I tell them but I don't think they get it and I don’t know how to help them through this.
I am having a hard time handling my 3.5yo's tantrums. How can I manage?
I've heard you talk about tantrums and toddlers numerous times and it still amazes me how much I need to be reminded of this. So after the summer, it seems like my son’s tantrums (3.5yrs) have become more intense & he's become more demanding. He also doesn't really do what we ask him to do (which is usually very reasonable for a 3.5yr old). He doesn't cooperate. How can I start turning this around?