Managing Toddler Angst

Charlie has been having some sleep issues lately. I don’t know if she’s having nightmares or what, but she’s been waking up throughout the night screaming. We’ll rush into her room, bleary-eyed at 3 am, and she’s in a dream state, still asleep, sobbing. Poor little girl. I haven’t yet called her Doc because I keep thinking it’s just a phase…but last night she had us up and down from 2 am to 6 am, hence the reason we didn’t make it to church this morning. Our attendance hasn’t been great this month, and we were looking forward to getting back into the swing of things…but Charlie really brought us back to those first few months she was first home.

I’m also not sure if she is also teething, which might explain her uber-crankiness and constant runny nose. She just hasn’t really been herself lately. She used to LOVE brushing her teeth but will now fight us tooth and nail (no pun intended) and we have to practically strap her down, which makes me wonder if we are scaring her off of good dental health forever. She also is in a “I hate my highchair” phase, and arches her back anytime we go to put her in one.

*Sigh* I’m sure these are all “normal” things that happen when you have an active toddler. I’m wondering when she will just cooperate when it’s time to change clothes or put on her coat. Will this ever get any easier??

The bright spot to our day was brunch with our very good friends and new neighbors, the Peterson’s. Charlie and little Lindsay always have a good time, and the adults got to catch up a bit and enjoy some yummy comfort food at a neighborhood joint, Glenn’s Diner.

responses to “Managing Toddler Angst” 2

  1. Must be a phase. Didn’t you mention that Charlie went through a phase where eating was a challenge? We’re going through that with Addie right now. She refuses to eat all the things she normally loves. It’s all about the juice – no substance!

  2. Try to let Charlie do some of the things she complains about for herself. This can be challenging, because we want to do it. But don’t! Be of assistant. See if this works. She may be spouting indepenence.

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