I don't like posting stuff like this, but I am at my wits' end and would like to hear from other moms who had a NB and also have a toddler (3,4,5yo)

How is your older child adjusting to a new baby?
My DD turned 5 end of August, I had DS 3 weeks ago .
DD is fine with her brother but boy has she changed from a little 5 YO angel to a little devil this past 3 weeks, I don't even know what to do with her any more and I feel like I have failed as a mother. She has become so mean, rude, disrespectful toward us, talking back, hitting, kicking, pushing (NOT the baby, she LOVES the baby, but just us, DH and I) every step is a fight with her now. The way she behaves sometimes and things she says I feel like she is a different person.
Between starting kindergarten- first week of Sept, new school, new teacher, new kids and then new baby brother 2nd week of September and me having a CS and not really being able to do things with her like I used to I know it's very tough for her, but I feel so sad that she is going through this and I don't know what to do with her any more. I have tried being nice and reasoning with her, tried time outs, tried yelling, tried books, talking... but nothing seems to help . Will I ever get my little girl back?
If you went though a tough time with your older child what worked for you? how long did it take your older DC to accept the new life and adjust to everything?

Re: I don't like posting stuff like this, but I am at my wits' end and would like to hear from other moms who had a NB and also have a toddler (3,4,5yo)

My DD was a lot younger when I had DD2 (they are only 20 months apart) so it wasn't too crazy. She has a harder time now that DD2 is older and mobile. She doesn't like to share me or her toys

My opinion? Your DD has had some pretty major changes in the past few months, I'm sure she is just trying to sort everything out and looking for more attention (even negative attention!)

I would give it some time and make sure she gets some alone time with you or her dad every few days.

Good luck!!

Message edited 10/11/2012 11:00:27 AM.

I don't like posting stuff like this, but I am at my wits' end and would like to hear from other moms who had a NB and also have a toddler (3,4,5yo)

My DS turned 3 a month after DD was born. He definitely went through an adjustment period. I would give it some time. She's going through so many changes right now, she probably doesn't know how to process it all, so she's acting out. Definitely try to get some one-on-one time with her as much as you can.

Unfortunately, what I found was that there wasn't much I could do to help him adjust (other than giving him some extra special attention) except give it time. I would say by 4-5 months into having the new baby, he was back to his usual self. Hang in there!