Please tell me this is just a phase and that it's normal! AR!

[Firefly]

For the last couple of weeks, babyfly has become more and more of a handful.

She slaps and hits, even bites us now and again, grizzles more than she ever has (she's normally laid back and happy).

She's being a pickle at mealtimes, and about getting into the buggy/carseat, and just generally being wilful and berluddy hard work. It's like someone stole my little angel and replaced her with an imp!

Please please tell me that this is a normal phase and that it won't last forever

I guess it probably seems worse than it is, cos I'm still under the weather after a cold, and I know DH is working all next week and won't be able to help out

[Bluebabe75]

Just a phase

Expect it to come and go though - we've been having that particular phase on and off since Matthew was babyfly's age It does get better though and these days it's more the occasional strop / full-blown tantrum than whole days / weeks of it.

[Mrs B]

Yep, she's just learning to assert her independence and that she is on control of her actions. It does pass; I was quite firm with Sol when he hit etc and he's totally stopped doing it now, he knows it's not an option. Also, the more she can see that she's pushing your buttons, the more she'll do it so I would act as though nothing has changed and just seethe inwardly.

[Firefly]

Thanks guys. I'm trying to be firm with her when she hurts us, and pay less attention to things like mucking about with her food, its so hard to know the "right" thing to do though, isn't it?

[RealGoneKid]

Yes it's definitely a phase and yes it's hard to know what the right thing to do is It's doubly hard when you're under the weather too

[salmo]

Definitely a phase, and as Bluebabe says, it'll come and go. DS is really bad for hitting and throwing things at the minute, but as hard and fustrating as it is, I just have to keep saying to myself "this will pass!"
I really agree with you as well, it's so hard knowing the best way to deal with things, I always worry I'm doing the wrong thing and making it worse.