These are the confessions of a Mom Exploring the Development of a Baby Temper Tantrum. Can a five month old have a temper?
Annabelle might be one of the happiest babies I have ever met. She smiles at everyone, poses for pictures, giggles and coos and makes Grandmas melt in the grocery store. However, as it is with adult life, nothing is perfect.
Annabelle spends a good portion of her day fussing and having a baby temper tantrum over little things. For example, she gets very angry when Daddy takes away his watch she likes to lick. The older she gets, the smarter she gets – and the more temperamental she becomes when she doesn’t get what she wants.
Exploring a Baby Temper Tantrum
Today she is five months old. Is it possible for a five month old to be spoiled? I don’t believe so. I believe she is the way she is because she is intelligent. She knows what she wants and since she can’t tell you what it is, she cries. I would cry too if I couldn’t tell people what I wanted. The thing is, she doesn’t cry a sweet little cry. She cries like she is being stung by 100 hornets. Or you killed her puppy. And then she tries to throw herself out of her Rock-n-Play.
This happened just a few hours ago…
A lot of people don’t believe me when I tell them that Annabelle is a handful because she always looks oh-so-cute in pictures. Truth is, a picture is a snapshot of one moment in time. If any of those people spent a full day with her, they’d see my little princess turn into a little pink monster because once she gets going, it is hard to get her to stop. We try everything – the fan in the bathroom, running water, showing her a lit candle, walking outside, etc. Most of these tricks work temporarily…and then she goes back to screaming.
My family saw it firsthand when we went to Connecticut. While I was getting ready to go to dinner with some friends, Annabelle put on a full show for my Mom, Dad, sisters (in-law), brother, and nephews. My nephews were actually afraid of her screams and had to go home. She yelled and cried like the world was ending… and they said that it was over an hour before she finally passed out. She sometimes puts on performances like this when she is overtired.
Who doesn’t love a good temper tantrum selfie?
She has also performed for both her Nana and Coco on separate occasions. They were all excited to spend some QT with little A and WAHHHHH. Annabelle gave them the business, and she will give it to you too if you get in her way.
Unfortunately, Annabelle is the love child of two adults who gave their Mommas a run for their money when they were tots. Both B and I were a handful. I won’t embarrass my husband by sharing stories of his past, but me – I have no shame. I was cute, but had a temper that would make grown men cry.
My Mom said I’d tear my beautiful curls out of my head, scratch myself, and throw toys at anyone who passed while I was having a tantrum. My cousins were terrified of me when I’d get going – they saw me kick a big black dent into their wall once at the ripe young age of FOUR. I was quite the pip. Obstinate but precious was how my Mom described me… thankfully I got over that stage in my life. As did B. So there is hope for our little princess…
Does your little one have a temper?
How do you handle temper tantrums?
I was lucky. My daughter was so easy going for the first year of her life. When she was 12 months one day, she decided to have opinions. She went from my squishy easy baby to full blown toddler. I surmise that because she understands what I say but she can’t communicate too much that that’s the reason she’s angry and frustrated. I try to give hugs and kisses. I keep my sentences short and quick usually less than 6 words. I hope it’s all just a phase and she’ll grow out of this soon. The public tantrums are just as bad as you think. People give you sympathy looks while others shoot the stink eye with “why can’t you keep her quiet” looks. Good luck!
The 6 month old I nanny for is the same way! Except she mostly pulls this stuff with me because I’m with her most of the day. She’s so sweet when her parents are here but then throws these little fits when she doesn’t get her way. As soon as I give her attention she immediately stops which shows me she does it on purpose not just because something is wrong. I feel your pain, even if it is just while I’m at work!
Ah geez she is a smart little cookie! Do her parents give her everything she wants?!
HAHAHA! I love baby mad faces. 🙂
Taking pictures has been a way to deal with an angry baby these days… or laughing at her. Sounds mean but last night B and I just laughed and laughed while she turned into the Incredible Hulk. Sometimes its the only way to cope!
oh girl…………..it’s totally a girl-thing!!!! lol Bailey Bug has this same problem too. haha She used to scream and cry all the time. It’s gotten alot better but she’s still Miss Priss. It actually got better once she could sorta show or tell us what she wanted. She still has her moments….ALOT!!!! She’s the boss and everyone knows it. lol
Brandon tells me…”you must of been a horrible child.” lol I know I gave my parents a run for their money. The Bible says “you reap what you sow.” haha
They are just our ‘lil mini-me’s!!
I think AB and Emma are twinsies!
We laugh sometimes too. My family lovingly refers to her as a race car 0-60 in 2 seconds flat!!
We love gripe water and binks for freak outs. I haven’t tried to leave Em with strangers yet, but my family she freaks out with!!
Getting caught up on your blog! I’m hoping maybe some of her crankiness was because of her tummy issues. Have you noticed a difference? My niece was kinda cranky for the first 9 months. She just wanted her mama. She is getting a lot better now.