What gives?

Canada
May 26, 2009 11:52am CST
Hi Everyone, My youngest daughter (18 months old) is a perfect angel when it's just me and her at home. Once her sister's get home from school or when her dad walks in the door, she becomes this sniveling mass of whinyness (I mean that in the nicest most loving way). It is extremely irritating. Is it because her sister's pretty much ignore her unless I force them to play with her or is it because now my attention is diverted? When it's just the two of us, she has no problem entertaining herself if I have to go wash some dishes or cook a meal...it's like she knows that mom will be with her in a few minutes. Also, if we are all outside, she's not whiny at all but obviously staying outside 24 hours a day is not going to happen. Anyone else going through something like this? How are you getting through it?
5 responses
@meandmy3 (2227)
• United States
26 May 09
You are entering a bad stage, sorry but I hated that age. 18 months is hard, she is jealous of any attention that her older sister is getting and she wants you all to yourself.
• Canada
2 Jun 09
I have to agree with you. With all three of my kids, I think this is the age that I really don't like at all. It doesn't help that no one else likes this age either so I become the sole entertainment provider for her. Oh well, I only have to do it for 16 more years...lol. Thanks for the input ;)
• United States
26 May 09
it is called sibling rivalry, yes even at this young age. She knows that now you have to be with people other than her and so she turns into a whiny child that needs attention. The cool part about it is that since she knows what she is doing you can get on to her for it. Do not think for one moment that it is not on purpose, she is manipulating you and making you feel guilty for giving attention to other people. If you get on to her she will eventually realise that her behavior will not ba tolerated and she will stop.
1 person likes this
28 May 09
Hi, your lucky that your daughter is a perfect angel when your at at home with her. I have a 22 month year old son and he is such hard work! I know what you mean about when your older daughter comes home from school. I have a 5 yr old daughter and when she gets home from school they fight over toys all the time. My son gets worse when my daughter is at home, he pulls her hair and hits her. I think this is just a faise they go through (hopefully) and it will pass. I basically let them get on with it but I do shout a lot but that doesn't work! I think its best to ride it out and eventually it will pass. At least your daughter is good when your alone:)
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
26 May 09
Luckily, this is only a stage depending on how you handle it. Don't treat her any different when the other kids are there. If you are doing something with the other kids try to include her. Even if it isn't something she can do having her near the action will be good. Don't take attention away from the others just because she is "sniveling" but don't ignore her when you are with the others.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
27 May 09
This is my story I'm the grandmother and I take care of my 3 year old granddaughter while my daughter and son-in-law are at work. My granddaughter is an angel when her parents are not around. She plays with her toys, watches her shows such as Dora or Backyardians, etc. she plays outside in her sandbox. I will sit with her and play with her and teach her different things each day. She actually acts like a 3 year old going on 25 with a vocabuary that is unbelievable. However, as soon as her mother gets home she becomes this whiney, crying child that wants to be picked up. I can't believe the difference. How I get thru it is when my daughter comes in I'm off and its my time for relaxing. My daughter gets thru it with bribing her.
• Canada
27 May 09
my oldest daughter used to do this when she was younger. My mom would have no problem, but as soon as I walked through the door, she would start whining. However, as soon as we left, she would stop so it's possible that all she wanted was attention. Thankfully, I have never had to bribe my kids. I can pretty much take whatever they dish out whether it be in public or at home. People at the store will often give me dirty looks if I don't give in to the tantrum, however, other people don't have to go home with my child and don't live by my rules. Anyway, I'm rambling and getting off topic. Thanks for the response