What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

Oh lordy...where to start! DD is 18 months....until this past weekend...not just because she is my child...but she really has been the EASIEST child to deal with. Eats all her food...sleeps like an angel...we can take her ANYWHERE and she behaves wonderfully.

Well, this weekend she was taken over by Aliens or something because I have no idea what happened!

We went to Mystic CT for the weekend. We were so excited to just get away for a few days. The weather was terrible and we should have known that the weekend was going to be downhill from there.

DD was the most difficult child on earth! She was mean, throwing temper tantrum left and right....sleeping at the hotel was a disaster! Dinner was impossible! She would spit all her food out of her mouth! She lived on french fries and cereal the whole weekend! I dont think she ever had fries until this weekend!

Do terrible two's start this early!?!?!? I want my child back! ughhhh!!!!

Also....how do you discipline an 18 month old? Any book recommendations? I need help and I need it fast! When I try to reprimand her she looks at me and laughs....its such a joke. I don't know what to do!

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

I honestly think it might be from the change of environment.
At that age they are very big on normalcy and routine, and sleeping in a hotel, in a different crib, a different environment etc, can really throw them off.
Then that lack of sleep leads to moodiness and tantrums with everything else.


This is why I refuse to travel with my DD until she is older.
To me, it's not worth it.
I don't find it relaxing and I wouldn't enjoy myself.

Message edited 6/14/2011 12:31:32 PM.

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

Might be the age. DD started getting a little more difficult over the last month or so (she's almost 20 months). She's gotten clingy and whiny and definitely starting to have her little fits . I'm hoping its just a phase (one that doesn't last the next year or so ). I also noticed some more teeth coming in so that might be some of it also.

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

I figured the sleeping situation was going to be an issue...i was prepared for that! We wound up driving around until she fell asleep and then transferred her to the room.

I need help disciplining her! I don't know how!

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

Around that age or a drop earlier DS was starting with tantrums. They do get better, but it's around the time they start.

Also, I remember around 18 months he was getting his molars in and it made him cranky as well. Could be a mix... the age where the tantrums start more (b/c they're learning more, but don't like being told what to do and more curious), teething, change of environment, etc.

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

It might be a short phase, you'll find a lot of those now. I remember a few months ago my DS started getting whiny and a little tantrumy the week before we were going away. I couldn't believe how he had changed (he's incredibly easy and well-behaved). Well, by the time we went away, all was back to normal. He's 20 months and we recently had another week of tantrums but it's over now.

I don't discipline my DS per say, he doesn't really do anything wrong yet, but I do speak to him in a firm voice when I need to. Also, at least for my DS, he really cares about my reaction so if he is doing something and I don't look happy about it, he'l stop. Just be firm when you need to be and if you take something away (toy, something she's banging on the floor, etc, don't give it right back).

Re: What happened to my sweet baby? Weekend disaster!

Thanks ladies! I have to check for teeth! I thought she has them all...but maybe its her 2 yr molars?

I hope its just a phase! Oh boy...we were going to TTC later this year....this totally had me second guessing this idea!