My little girl has gone from shy to stubborn --- and mom, from worried to pissed

Philippines
July 18, 2012 4:03pm CST
I had posted a couple months back about my daughter being very shy and distant to other people she doesn't get to see often. When she started schooling, i was worried that she may not even interact with other kids and their teacher. Recently, she has drastically changed from being soft to really stubborn. Her hard headedness can really engage the monster in me, sometimes. She doesn't take my warnings right away, and would even do the opposite. She will ignore my calls and would even mock me at times. I don't know what Ive done or what I have not done to cause her to change behaviour. The biggest changes in the house, during the transition were having a new baby and her schooling. Those may have been to much for her to handle. But, I do hope this is just temporary, and not something that she'll carry with her for a long time.
1 response
C
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
20 Jul 12
At lot of changes have happened a new baby can some times upset and make the older child act out in negative ways so that they get the attention that they are wanting and needed. I would try to spend a little bit more time with her and see if that helps. Most children will start acting better if you spend a little bit more time with that after a new baby is born or have her help you out in little ways like getting a diaper or asking her to hold the wipes so you can pull them out or pick out clothes for the baby.
jureathome
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
20 Jul 12
That could also be the case here. I do let her participate as much as possible. She enjoys getting the baby's change clothes and prepare them before I bring the baby back from bath. She gets other baby stuff for me when I ask her to. I think I do have lesser time with her, but I guess that's just expected since there is a new baby. I'd just have to work on balancing my time better.
C
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
23 Jul 12
Balancing can be hard I've heard. All you can do is try and I hope it gets better and of course as your new little one gets bigger I think it'll get easier for you to spend time with your oldest. A lot of people say that its harder when the kids have a good age gape because they are use to being all by themselves with out having to sharing there parents so it can be hard but I don't know if that is true or not. Some people say that when the kids are close in age. I just think it's personalities some just get alone from the start and others just need some time to get use to it.
jureathome
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
I hope you're right, and Im really hoping to see improvements on her behaviour. I do think she'd enjoy her baby sister more when she's bigger and can already interact with her and play with her. While spacing is good for family planning, what you said about how kids get so used t be the only one getting the attention, coulf also be a disadvantage. But, with time, things should get better.