It's my party and I'll cry if I want too

[AmandaKDT]

I have a dcg that turned 4 years old yesterday. She has been with me for about 8 months and she is very easy going and well behaved, though she is an only child and the only grandchild in her family and this affects her behaviour sometimes.

Well yesterday she arrived after her usual 3 day weekend away from daycare, both her parents walked her to my house (which never happens) and they both gave her hugs and wished her happy birthday and then left. They had brought a birthday cake so we had it at morning snack since some of the other dcks were leaving early and I wanted to make sure we could all celebrate her birthday together.

I had the kids eat some fruit first for their snack while I got everything ready for the cake. Then all of a sudden the birthday girl starts crying for absolutely no reason. I get her to calm down and she finishes her fruit and then is acting all happy while we sing her happy birthday and then they all eat the cake.

She acted totally fine after that and was happily playing until lunch came. She suddenly started crying again and was saying she missed her mom and dad. She went to bed right after that and was fine all afternoon. I asked her mom about it and she said she slept really well the night before and she couldn't think of any reason.

Well today she tried to do the same thing again, was happy until it was snack time and then started crying and calling for her mommy. Same thing at lunch time. I was losing my patience since she has totally happy otherwise and after a stern talk with her she stopped.

So my thought is that her birthday got all hyped up, she got all sorts of attention and it ended up being too much for her? She told me yesterday that it was her birthday so that meant she could do whatever she wanted (which I replied, "Um...no, not here you can't!")

Thoughts? Advice? I don't want this to be a new trend in behaviour, I have no patience for it - especially with a house full of kids to take care of.

[mickyc]

I think what you are doing is fine. Just continue with disciplining her for bad behaviour. She sounds like she is just testing you. Be consistent and it will stop.