Is it possible for?

Question

my 14 month old daughter to feel threatened by my step daughter who comes over every 2 weeks? if so how might my daughter be acting if she is feeling threatened?

Thanks

Answer 1

Separation anxiety is natural for young children and mothers...

Babys want their mother's attention all the time, mothers want to pay them attention all the time and soothe their every whimper.

It is to do with the biological and chemical, hormonal bond between the mother and child.

But to do so will not be so beneficial for the child in the long run...

Unless your stepdaughter is actually physically threatening your baby when she's there (which I doubt VERY much) there is no way she feels threatened by her like that.

It is most likely that she is just pining for her mother, as she loves her and her mother loves her - she is very used to being cuddled and kissed and played with a lot...

A two week period of that is a long time to a 14 month year old... A large percentage of their life.

The time apart will seem great also, but I bet she always calms down and returns to normal when you pay her attention again.

It may be beneficial for you, your baby and your stepdaughter if you give the baby a valuable lesson - that she is not the only child that you care about and that you also care for your stepdaughter by using tough love, or putting her to sleep and spending time with your stepdaughter.

You could even include your stepdaughter in your baby's life more by involving her in the joys of playing with and seeing a baby smile and hearing it laugh.

It will bring the three of you closer.

Again - only because you asked.

Answer 2

Your daughter might not feel threatened, it might just be a change in normal routine having a different person come into the house to stay every 2 weeks.

If she is feeling threatened she might cry more, shy away more, play up and be a bit more naughty. Its so hard to say you just look for a change in behaviour but it can be either way.

Good luck x*x

Answer 3

Yes of course.

I assume that you mean threatened in the sense that she thinks that you step daughter might be more important in your eyes, or become more important.

When my little sister was still a baby sleeping in her crib in my parents room, everytime my dad would give my mom a hug my sister would scream. As soon as they moved away from each other, she would be perfectly fine. She was threatened because some big scary man was getting all of Mommy's attention.

Different people will act differently when they are threatened, but if you think that your daughter might feel threatened, just take some time to give her extra special attention. Hopefully, if she and your step daughter get along well, she'll realize that no one can steal her mom's love from her and all will be well.

Answer 4

It is possible for her to feel threatened what ever her age especially if her step-sister is older or bigger than her. If she if feeling threatened then she might become clingy to you when your s.d walks in the room. Try sitting in a corner of the room and watch them play and see what actions your s.d uses that make your daughter feel threatened and then maybe join in and say to your step daughter "she likes it when you play with her like this," or "I really like it when you play nicely with her she really likes you." so that your s.d doesn't feel left out and she feels important.