Crying about everything...really everything!

One of my girls, Gracie, cries about everything. If I tell her not to do something, she cries...even when I'm not using an angry tone...I try extra hard to gently explain things, but she still cries. If she even thinks her sister calls her "baby" then she cries..."Maddie called me a baby" and wails. She won't take up for herself if her sister pushes her or takes a toy away, she just cries. I've been trying to teach her to hit her sister back...I mean thats desperation...I want her to take up for herself, but she just won't. She used to not do this, but the past few months it seems like its getting worse. Does anyone else have a child like this? What do you do?

 

That's tough! She's got your number, though, hasn't she? I mean, you go out of your way to couch your words in a gentle tone, etc. so that you won't upset her. And I know I'd do the same thing -- no one wants to hear their baby cry! But, you also know that she needs to develop a thicker skin. Not everyone is going to make the same effort to comfort each "blow". I think I might start requiring her to ask you in a "regular voice". Tell her you're sorry she's hurt, and it's fine to cry and be upset, but that you can't understand her when she's crying. Ask her to try again once she's finished crying. Until she stops crying try hard not to get sucked in to her "problem". My guess is that she has the toughness in there to pull herself together, but is leaning on you right now because she can.

Best of luck :hugs:

 

I really didn't phrase that correctly...I should have said, "I've TRIED extra hard to explain things gently." I did try to be a little easier for a while, but I'm not an extra gentle person. I have told her that "I'm sorry she doesn't like it when she gets in trouble, but that is no reason to cry." And you are right...I really can't understand her when she is crying...she really just seems to get her feelings hurt extra easy, and my moms says I was the same way as child. I really don't put up with it...thats why I can't figure out why its still going on...she definitely can be tough, lol! I hope it just gets better as time goes on.

 

First things first, those black & white photos of your girls are simply GORGEOUS! They are beautiful.

So, to answer your question...YES! Our girls are 2yrs3mos old right now and the oldest of the two cries a lot more than the youngest. It is basically as you describe it. I try not to be overly soft on her though because I find that leads her to over exaggerate whenever her sister even just gently pushes her. I think over time, she will learn to either push back or walk away. Obviously, if her sister hits her hard or pushes her hard, I am more sympathetic to her tears and crying.