How can I figure out why my 3 year old daughter is so emotional lately but cant tell me why she cries?
Answers:
The best thing you can do is pay attention... when does she cry? What is she doing, is it at the same time as a certiai show, or around pictures of Daddy, or just randomly? Instead of asking her why, just hold onto her and let her tell you in her own way. Pay close attention to her coloring and drawings, to the way she talks to her toys and what she says, the way she plays, and see if you can read into her words and actions in everyday situations. Just don't press her to tell you, she may be afraid to tell you because she thinks it will upset you or make you angry. This may just be a phase... she may be feeling things she's never felt before and be unsure how to express it. I know my advice is vague, but since you're her mother, you know your child. You can't read her mind, but in her actions, you should be able to see a difference and find out what's behind her emotions lately. Worst case scenario, there's always the possibility of a child psychologist if her bahavior seems dangerous in any way, or gets particularly worrysome.
Other Answers:
A really good way to help get a child to express their feelings, is drawings. Even a toddler of three can do this. Play a game with her, make a story up as you go to help encourage her to open up about what upsets her. You could say that sometimes you feel sad, while being a character, and she may open up to this character where she can't her mummy. Her knowing she can talk to you, and that YOU are her best friend as well as her mum will also help. Such little things can seem so big to a young child.
Chalk boards, paper and crayons should always be about kids, all kinds of feelings are seen in their pictures. Their dreams you see, their feelings, and their fears or nigtmares.
Good luck!
Somethings I would explore: has her sleeping patern changed? Is she getting enough sleep? Has her diet changed? Have there been any big changes in her life recently like a different babysitter? Is there a possibility that she is sick? Could she be being abused physically, emotionally or sexually?
Children do go through ups and downs just like the rest of us. They also learn to be manipulative at about this age. Good luck.
When my daughter was 3 she got a bit like this...and she suddenly started talking to me through toys - I would hold, say, a little plastic horse and she would hold a foal, my horse was the foals mum - she said loads of stuff through the toys which she wasnt saying directly to me, and I would reply through my horse. It was a real insight. HTH.
Comfort her and encourage her to "use her words". Validate what she says and talk about feelings.
This might sound silly, and please don't get mad, but she is probably being abused, maybe by your new BF. Usually, when being abused, kids are "not allowed to tell anyone what the adult is doing". What you should do is tell her that if anyone was doing anything to hurt her or make her feel uncomfortable, that she should tell you even if she's supposedly not allowed. If you tell her that and she is being abused, then she's sure to 'fess up sooner or later.
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