toddler tantrums

[Judy7]

Can anyone help? I have just gone on maternity leave (expecting number 2 in 3 weeks) and was looking forward to spending time with my angelic toddler who hadn't seen much of me lately due to working such long hours. But over the last few days he has started throwing major tantrums, refusing to let me change his nappy or dress him. When his dad (who fortunately works from home)takes over, he's good as gold. I'm not sure if it's a reaction to suddenly seeing so much more of me or what but I'm getting seriously worried as I don't know how I'm going to cope with him when the new baby arrives. Any advice?

[Ponka]

I'm sorry, I haven't really got too much advice on how to deal with it but I just thought you'd like to know this happened to me, too. My angelic toddler returned to being angelic about a week before the birth and has been fine with the new addition to the family. Although he has now hit 2, so we still do have a fair few tantrums, they are not related to DS2.

Strange this, but I've had a conversation with a couple of RL friends recently, who have also just had their second and we all noticed that around 4 or 5 weeks before the birth, our toddlers 'kicked off' into a bit of a tantruming spell! Perhaps he senses that something is about to happen and is as nervous as you are? Adding to this, you are now home and previously weren't, so this was a change in his routine.

Don't worry. You'll be fine. I'd just try to stay calm and give him lots of extra love and assurance through everything (whilst not taking any funny business, either!)

Best of luck. x

[laundrylover]

Ha ha, this thread is up twice and Ponka and I have just put exactly the same answer on each.

[Ponka]

No way laudrylover! Did you find the same thing? {speeds off to find other thread]

[Judy7]

Sorry for the confusion ladies - it's my first post and I got a bit confused!

Thanks for the reassurance and sympathy!

Judy

[Ponka]

It's alright Judy7, we all do double posts etc. here and there. It just meant you got double the answers. Let us know how you are getting on.

[laundrylover]

That's OK!
Ponka, just reread your thread and realised that your angel returned pre birth whereas ours has been slightly slower!
Tell you what tho aren't these second babies a million times easier?????

[laundrylover]

Judy you could post on the other thread and say to come here if you want to make it easier for yourself.
Does that make sense?

[Ponka]

Yes, laundrylover. A million times easier. I wasn't sure if it was just his different personality or 2nd baby syndrome.

[laundrylover]

I reckon a bit of both but am not complaining at 7.30 bedtimes, hardly any crying and good sleeping!!
Sorry Judy for hijack but here's hoping you get a chilled out one too.

[Ponka]

Yes, Judy7, you must be tired now and having tantrums to deal with all of a sudden must be trying. I hope your new little one gives you the time to pamper him a bit, like mine did.

[Ponka]

A little tip, if you haven't already heard it. Buy him a present for the new baby so he feels less jealous.

Sorry. I really will shut up now.

[Frizbe]

Agree with Ponka's tip there! take it to hosp with you if your heading there....
dd1 here attatched herself to dh a month or so before I had dd2, we're all getting on fine now tho It was quite good really, as at least when dd2 was born and feeding a lot, dd1 was happy for dh to attend to her needs, now its gone back to them all wanting me again, sigh....