young kiddo behavior questions

[lovelovelove]

We have a few things going on that I was hoping for some advice on. Dd is almost 2.5. Short questions first, followed by more detailed questions & info.

Tl;dr
1) how do I get her to stop waking up at 3 am for milk & coming to bed with me?

2) what's next after 3 day potty training if she's like 90% there?

3) how do I get her to stop touching her butt (I'm making sure she's clean)?

4) how do I get her to stop wanting me to carry her everywhere and do everything together?

More detailed questions & info:

1) she's been waking up around 3 am for almost a week crying for milk. Sometimes I can get her to fall back asleep without it, but sometimes when she starts to throw I fit I give in bc I'm too tired for a middle of the night fight. Do I need to suck it up and fight with her a few times to make this go away? And no matter what she ends up in bed with us, can I/should I leave her in her room crying/screaming to see if she'll go back to her own bed? I feel awful about doing it, it feels different than sleep training at this age.

2) we did the 3 day potty training this weekend and she's mostly got it for pee. Has not pooped on the potty (no accidents, juse goes in diaper during nap or when she first wakes up). She's not confident yet though. The new thing is she holds it until she says she wants to put a diaper on, runs back & forth to the bathroom like 5 times, and finally sits and goes. Where do I go from here? No more diapers no matter what? Is she not ready for that? What about car rides and stuff? I'm nervous for her to go to school tomorrow even though they are really good about working with kids who are potty training.

3) tmi, sorry- she's been touching her butt a ton recently (started before potty training). I wipe her again to make sure she's clean. Any tips on cutting this behavior? She's got a few little nervous habits (not sure if that's the right phrase) like picking at her lip and this seems like maybe another one?

4) she is SO clingy with me. She wants me to carry her everywhere, sit on my lap to eat, do everything together, etc. Not at all with h, and actually won't do much of anything with him. She has a fit when he tries to take over. Do I just leave her with him and let them figure it out? With carrying her etc, is this something letting her have a few tantrums over will straighten out? I've done that a couple times, but I guess not enough to break the habits. Sorry if this is dumb. I just feel like we're always in such a rush that there's no time to mess with this I just need to do anything to get her out the door. But I need to address it.

Any and all advice welcome thanks so much!!!!! sorry it's so long!

[hopecounts]

1) yes, cold turkey if you want it to end. I would try giving her a bit of milk and a snack just before bedtime to see if that helps ward off the wake up. Also if it is right at the same time you can try setting your clock for an hour before and going in and disturbing her just enough to make her sleep cycle reset so she sleeps past the wake up.

2) Keep at it, it takes a bit for the confidence and requesting to come. For pooping try stool softening foods to make it easier.

3) It likely is becoming a nervous tick. catch her and say 'no touching bum(bottom/butt)' and stop her hand and give her something to hold/play with instead. you have to be 100% consistent but it should work.

4) I would start talking up the 'big girl' thing. all the fun things she gets to do now that she's a big girl and praise her when she acts like a big girl.
as for the walking I would work on it but at 2.5 you still have a little bit before it's an issue.
Is there anything new/different that might be prompting her anxiety? New room at school? trips by either you or your H?

[lissaholly]

1. Get a behavior modification clock or nightlight. We used good nite light with DD#1 and bought the Onaroo Teach Me Time Clock for DD #2 which we just started using this week at 3.5 years old. We were able to stop the 3 a.m. B.s with cold turkey but otherwise our kids kept making it time to wake up earlier and earlier. ( no one os well rested in this family at 5 a.m.). The basic gist is your kid can come get you if they are scared or they need up up the potty, but otherwise they stay in their room until morning.

2. I did a modified 3 day potty training. I call it the 2 week version. My kid was ready at 3, she just didn't want to. Eventually, she just decided to do it. She was able to up all night without pull ups at this point.

3. The butt, just keep discouraging it. I have no other advice. Maybe get her ( him? Don't remember) some exposure to older kids who will call her out. Kids are great at that, sometimes a peer's word goes further.

4. Just need to shut her down or race her, or just distract her however you can so she doesn't focus on not being held. Good luck!

[sarahbear]

is she just touching her butt or is she actually itching her butt? If she's itching herself I'd be concerned about pinworms or another parasite. They can cause severe itching and are pretty common to catch among children. They can also cause night waking because of the itching.

[niki]

No answers for your other questions, but have you heard of the "Off the Hip" technique? We are having some success with this Super Nanny trick.

[lovelovelove]

Apr 20, 2015 23:15:43 GMT -5 sarahbear said:

is she just touching her butt or is she actually itching her butt? If she's itching herself I'd be concerned about pinworms or another parasite. They can cause severe itching and are pretty common to catch among children. They can also cause night waking because of the itching.

I didn't know this was a thing! Hmmm, I'll ask her next time if it's itchy. Thanks!

[lovelovelove]

Apr 20, 2015 23:55:39 GMT -5 niki said:

No answers for your other questions, but have you heard of the "Off the Hip" technique? We are having some success with this Super Nanny trick.

I'll check this out, thanks!