✨Normalizing When to Seek Help - Toddler✨
Our three year old encountered numerous changes in a short time:
New sibling
Military training - her dad was away for five months
Moved to preschool without dad or friends going
New house
We are not gentle parents, but are very loving, understanding, supportive, and more. We play with her, teach her things, etc. We do not use physical means to discipline our child. Nor do we raise our voice, but do change our tone.
Our now 3.5 year old has always been happy, healthy, curious, and more.
But since August time frame we noticed behavioral changes primarily at school and with home routines:
In school:
Hitting
Spitting
Kicking
Pulling hair
Throwing objects
Tantrums with screaming
Anger progression when told no
Issues with anyone touching “her” items, moving things out of order
Purposely making messes
Defiant towards kids trying to help her or telling her what to do
Regression in potty training, sleeping, and speaking.
Quick to anger, frustration, screaming, over reaction to simple things.
Home consists of fighting bed time, more attention seeking behavior, severe meltdowns, food changes, and more.
Generally, we would chalk it up to just toddler phase, but the behavior remains and we are not able to navigate besides giving her a safe space. Plus, she was once the perfect child at school and now we receive write ups almost daily as she prevents safe environments at school.
Rather than faulting or blaming, it’s clear to us there is more going on and impacting her wellbeing.
So, when you see aggression, over the top tantrums for simple things, extreme defiance, repetitive behaviors, lack of progress in speech, social struggles that never existed but do now, eating changes, etc. it’s not just a phase. But rather, a concern for your sweet child, that professionals can help you navigate.
There is nothing wrong with seeking outside help, as we do not want to neglect our toddler’s needs to ensure they have the best life possible. Plus it can rule in or out things like Autism, ADHD, OCD, defiant disorders, anxiety problems, and more.
Mental health is important at all ages. Remove the stigma, remove the bias on toddlers.
We are now in our second appointment phase to determine therapy, behavior reviews, possible hidden health concerns, and more.
And look forward to having a daughter that is happy, socially active, progression back into areas of potty training and speech. If not, we will continue to support her and seek help anyway possible ❤️
#behavioral #mentalhealthawareness #toddlerdevelopment #worksheettoddler
From my experience as a parent navigating toddler behavioral changes, it’s important to acknowledge that a child’s difficult behavior often stems from underlying stressors rather than mere rebelliousness or a typical phase. For instance, in cases where a toddler experiences major disruptions—such as a new sibling arrival, a parent away for extended military duty, or moving homes—it's natural for the child’s emotional well-being to be shaken. I noticed that after such life events, behaviors like hitting, tantrums, and regression in potty training and speech can persist rather than fade, signaling the need for professional guidance. Creating a safe space at home is essential, but sometimes that's not enough to address deeper emotional needs. Seeking help from behavioral therapists, pediatric psychologists, or developmental specialists can provide tailored strategies that support your toddler’s mental health and assist in identifying conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or Autism spectrum disorders. It’s also crucial to remove the stigma around toddlers and mental health. Early intervention does not mean labeling a child negatively; it means ensuring they receive the right support to thrive. Our ongoing journey to get therapy and thorough evaluations has been challenging but rewarding, offering hope for our daughter's return to happiness, social engagement, and developmental milestones. For parents facing similar issues, remember that persistent aggression, extreme defiance, or significant changes in social interaction and communication are valid reasons to seek help. Sharing experiences with others and consulting professionals early can turn a difficult phase into a path toward healing and growth. Mental health is just as important for toddlers as it is for adults, and acknowledging this is a powerful first step.
I would honestly wait to get her on Meds if they say she has ADHD because my sister was on some medication that caused her to not want to eat. She was underweight during those times and caused her to have body insecurities. Also now that she’s older we believe she was miss diagnosed.