Christy, I just wanted to second what Lucy said, in that if I was in QLD, I'd happily offer to send you out for a break whilst I kept an eye on Matilda. My only hope would be that one day you'd reciprocate LOL!!!

As you know, Jacob has also been going through some very difficult times with tantrums and I've also experienced the full barrage of comments, just like you have. It's a horrid feeling that people are passing judgement on you and your parenting skills. As if you don't feel 'responsible' enough already, without having other people point the finger at you also.

So all in all, I just wanted to reassure you that you really are NOT alone - I may be in Tassie which is a long way from where you are, but we too have been in a similar boat. Obviously both our kids are different and do different things tantrum-wise, have different triggers etc, but they have been extreme and non-relenting at times and we both find it difficult to cope whilst under the watchful eye of everyone around us who seem to be saying "thank god my child never did that" which isn't at all helpful or constructive in the least bit.

I also wanted to let you know, that in the past couple of weeks, Jacob seems to have really turned a corner. It quite literally happened overnight. It's been a very long six months for us ..... tantrums have been evident for a very long time, but the past six months have been the worst ever from that POV. So I really believe, that Matilda too will turn a corner and her tantrums will ease. Jacob still has them, but they are over things I would expect IYKWIM, and they are not full-on ones where he hits himself and hurts himself etc and they are reasonably short-lived.......