I feel like Im failing

DD is 15 months and has been really poorly behaving for a couplle of weeks now. I just took her shopping and almost broke down crying in the middle of the store. She dosent want to be in her stroller..cries and whines...loudly. Then you take her out and she will not hold your hand...she cries and creates a scene-runs away. Then I try to repremand her, I go down to her level and tell try to tell her no. Then...now instead of hitting me, she is starting to smack herself in the face- almost like shes so frustrated and knows that bothers me more then anything.
Is this a phase? Do other parents go through this hitting thing? I feel like Im starting to loose control of her and that I will never be able to take her out if I get a scene like that each time. I look at all other kids sitting in their stroller hanging out and then to my DD who is being sooo difficult it kills me.

Re: I feel like Im failing

I went through this exact thing, it is normal-although extremely frustrating. The only thing that really worked for us at that age, was distracting my son with something else. If all else fails I have just picked him up and walked out of whatever store we were in. This behavior does change, and it will get easier, especially as your child begins to communicate more. Don't get me wrong, my son can still push my buttons, but now at 2 we have instituted time outs and we can reason with him a little bit. Hang in there, it is a phase that will pass.

Re: I feel like Im failing

I think we all feel like this at times. Being a parent is rough, way tougher than you think it will be.

I was all about distracting DD at that stage, heck I still am. I brought toys and food into the store with me. She loved to sit in the cart and eat out of her little snack trap thing or have a cereal bar. I would talk to her about everything I was doing as we went down the aisles. Some people looked at me like I was nuts but I didn't care. My kid was calm, quiet and engaged in conversation with me.

I tried my best not to get upset, yell or lose my temper when she got out of hand. I found it just made things worse all around. She was way better if I stayed calm, ignored the bad behavior and redirected her.

Re: I feel like Im failing

If you are failing, then so are 99% of all other parents.... We've all gone through it, to one degree or another. Consistency, consistency, consistency...

Re: I feel like Im failing

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It's just a phase --- they don't have words yet so she is just trying to tell you what she wants -- out of the stroller and off to explore!


My son is 17 months now and he's a lot better now with this although he won;t stay in the stroller for long. I only take him shopping when I am with my husband -- he's too much to handle on my own.

Re: I feel like Im failing

BTDT and it is a phase. My 2 were like that and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You will too.

I know how you're feeling.Try not to let it bring you down when you see other kids calmly hanging out in their strollers- easier said than done but truth is all kids are different. Mine were little bombs going into a store. I had to be in and out. There was no browsing what so ever. If I took too long the bomb would go off lol They hated their strollers and going anywhere with them was a headache.

The phase is pretty much over knock on wood. They are easier and that makes it a million times more enjoyable!

Message edited 3/20/2010 8:06:57 PM.