B.V.
B.-
I have a little 3 year old daughter---and no you're not an idiot or alone on this issue. I think as parents we have to remember that our children are at that age where they just throw fits and it gets better with time as they learn to control their emotions. My daughter too is experiencing some speech delay and I've had her in a public school setting for this, but I strongly recommend that you get more involved with this, because I saw my daughter in a group of kids (an no offense to parents out there with children who have serious physical/mental abilities), but each child needs particular type of attention and focus on their weakness to make it into a strength so this really is a call for all parents to get involved with their child's upbringing. So my daughter was basically picking up bad behavior from children who just couldn't control themselves and their actions due to severe mental development delays and public school system needs to do more and better in accomodating these needs better than just lumping all the kids in one class/group. If your child has speech delay ask just for speech therapy instead of play group etc...If your gut is telling you anything different seek second and even third opinion. Get some toys (learning) without many noises that you can play with your child at home---and whenever the 17 month is sleeping and the other one isn't make time for him and give him that little extra attention. In the spring/summer take them out to the park or even now in the winter take them to the children's museums...for example Ann Arbor has Hands on Museum---it has something for 3 year old as well as 17 month old---but you'll need to go there with your husband on the weekend or something because it maybe too difficult with two kids by yourself. I don't know where you live but I'd be happy to get together with you and have our children socialize---in any case stay strong and persistent. I strongly believe that no matter what anyone says you know your child best-and at this age they're still too young to understand a lot of things as we'd like them to---I can only image that it must be difficult for you with two kids---but don't give up this will get better. Take good care and read online about behavior issues and how to correct them, visit local library or bookstore. DON'T FORGET TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF---ASK YOUR HUSBAND TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN FOR AN HOUR OR SO WHILE YOU GO AND GET YOUR HAIR DONE OR SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY AND REJUVENATED. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!