thread: Is this normal for a 16 month old?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    Is this normal for a 16 month old?

    Well i posted a little while ago about an incident at the playground where DD was knockd over twice by older children not watching what they were doing.

    I havent let it deter me - but honestly get a little anxious at the playgrounds now - but i dont let DD know this.

    yesterday we went again, and DD was fine,... had a ball climbing the stairs and making her way to the big slide to go down.

    However if a child (any age) came into her personal space she would drop and scream and cry blue murder. They didnt even have to touch her.

    SHe seems ok climbing up things with another child next to her but the big problem is when she is standing and another child comes near her? Is this normal?

    There was one boy there (about2 years) that as she was climbing onto the big slide came up and pushed her forward cracking her head on the corner of the slide and almost pushing down it (the slide was taller than me so of cause i freaked out). And she was screaming for almost 10 minutes.

    I picked her up, gave her cuddles then put her back (as i dont want her to become detered from playing) and she continued on as long as no child touched or came to close.

    I have put it down to her being scared of getting hurt and nothing more...
    Is this right?
    is this normal behaviour for a little girl?
    or am i just being an overprotective mother?

    sorry for the long winded post...

    thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    At that age they do go through stages. I know DS2 has in the last few months gone through phases of being clingy, not clingy, really social, less social etc. I think it's probably a normal phase, probably brought on by her recent experiences. Perhaps you could use it as an opportunity to talk to her about emotions - you could try asking if she is scared of being hurt etc. I find that DS2 usually has a reaction similar to what you have described when he is feeling something he can't communicate. I am hoping by talking to him about what he is feeling (even though he can't respond in words LOL) that I am helping him to deal with his emotions as he gets older.

    FWIW, it does get easier as they get older and can explain how they feel. DS1 is now really good at telling us what he's feeling and it makes life much easier!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    Thanks Mel.
    She has jsut been so grumpy/tanty at time lately and i wonder if it is because she knows there is something going on. (ie being due in a few weeks)....

    And yes hard because she isnt talking. only mama and dada really.

  4. #4
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    She most likely does know there's going to be a big change. I'm sure J knew. But it's also around the age that the terrible twos started with T, so it could be that too. Or a combination of both. Unfortunately there's not much you can do about it, terrible twos will happen, but if you are able to handle it patiently and use it to help her learn it will stand her in good stead. But don't be too hard on yourself if you lose atience, we are all human and when pg and when you have a nb and toddler, it is really, really tough.

    I hope that it's just a short phase for you.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    Springvale South, Melbourne
    2,826

    Hey PP- I have had the same problem with dd recently. We were at an indoor play centre and a boy around the same age smacked her around the face and grabbed her mouth and made her bleed. She has a yeast allergy which effects her skin around her mouth so its very sensitive there. So after this incident, any time another child even goes to touch her on the face, she falls to pieces, even if they dont hurt her. She is so frightened. I also think its a phase that shes going through too and also that I am due in 8 weeks maybe has something to do with it.

    HTH

    Melissa

  6. #6
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    Thanks mel.

    In way it is comforting to know it is a reaction to being hit or knocked so many times being so little and no a fear in general if that makes sense

    I hope everything goes well for your pregnancy in this last trimester!!!*hugs*

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    Springvale South, Melbourne
    2,826

    Thanks PP, good luck to you too

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    Hey PP - let me know when you want to organise a play date. Aricyn is pretty gentle with other kids - I haven't seen him knock anyone over (although he has been knocked over a few times himself!!!)

    He has a habit of cringing when kids come near him - so might be good to get them together cos neither of them are pusher-over-ers...

  9. #9
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    sounds like a great plan.. are you bringing him to the brissy meet?

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    Yup. DH is coming so I don't have to deal with him on my own.. LOL

  11. #11
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    i havent even told DH yet hehe.. i will tell him the day before