So, the past three or four weeks, Gracie has totally gone from an easy going, cooperative little toddler, to a clingy, emotional basket case. I am guessing the move was more traumatic for her than we realized or thought, but I'm now wondering if she is ever going to snap out of it.
She completely freaks out if either Bryant or I aren't around. She is not sleeping through the night. In fact--I don't think Bryant and I have slept in the same bed together since we got to Oregon 2 1/2 weeks ago. It's so bad at night actually that one of us has to lay down with her and wait until she is good and asleep and then try to quietly sneak out. Even then, she often times won't allow herself to completely fall asleep so if she hears a creek or anything she wakes right up. She usually wakes up around 3am or so anyway and one of us has to sleep with her for the rest of the night. Same with nap time.
She also LOVES going to nursery, but here we have to stay with her or she is just beside herself. And, because I understand that nursery is not just a "babysitting" service, and allowing her to stay in there crying uncontrollably not only upsets the other kids, but takes away from the purpose of nursery, we have had to tag team staying in nursery with her.
So, for whatever reason my child is traumatized and having some serious anxiety about something. I really don't know what to do for her at this point. She has always been able to find either Bryant or I when she needs us. We haven't left her anywhere at night, we haven't snuck out on her at all. We have tried to reassure her that we will always be close by if she needs us, but nothing is helping.
So, I have decided that right now, Gracie is going through a "Mid Toddler Life Crisis" and I just hope she gets over it before the baby comes or we are all going to be in for a not so fun adjustment!
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Aubrey (who was 2 1/2 at the time) did the exact same thing about a month before Lilly was born. She was very clingy and never would let me walk out of the room without her. When it came for nursery she would start screaming whenever we dropped her off. We would either have to have Joshie drop her off or let her cry for the first few minutes. If she didn't calm down after a while we would go in a get her. I talked with the nursery leaders and got their opinion first. After Lilly was born though she started to calm down as long as we made time for just her with no baby and made sure that she got to help "take care" of the baby. Good luck! She is a cutie though!!! AT least this should make you feel loved that she always wants to be with you!
Lacey has been going through the same thing-although she is going to Nursery well. She has to have one of us lay with her at bedtime and then always makes her way into our bed around 3 am. You and Bryant are disciplined to go back to bed with her. Blaine and I just let her sleep with us because we are so lazy. Tanner did the same thing a couple months before Lacey was born. Kids just know there is change and with the move it just might have her that much more anxious. Hang in there. It will get better I promise. You and Bryant are amazing parents and Gracie is lucky to have you. Hope things get better. Love you!
I'm assuming(from reading the other comments) that this is not that uncommon...?? We have been dealing with this for quite awhile now too. So I don't have any words of wisdom but if you figure something out, please share! We would like some sleep at night too :)
Good luck April! All I can add is that I think she's doing GREAT that she would go to nursery before the move... although Calan goes to a babysitter while I'm at school, it's only one other kid and all of the kids in nursery freak him out. I've been sitting in there with him for over 6 months now... He also wants us to lay down with him at night, and wakes up sometime between 4 and 6... I'm really hoping this is just a "2" thing and it will pass sometime soon. It does make me feel better to see that everyone elses kids do it too :)Hang in there!!
Samuel's been going through some crazy things, too. He's been really ornery, saying no or just ignoring me all the time. The craziest is being scared of toddlers and babies! The weirdest I've heard of, though, was my sister's friend's son who was scared of wind and wouldn't leave the house!! So yeah, I think every kid has their moments... Good luck, she'll be back to her normal self again soon. :0)
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