https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:47:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928247 Tue, 09 May 2023 14:54:07 +0000 JJ2626 2928247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: thank you! I guess it’s true that kids are always changing. We do prioritize outdoor time as she is in a forest preschool but that will change with kindergarten. This is a good reminder to figure out ways to keep the outdoor and physical activity going! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928231 Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:02:11 +0000 catgirl 2928231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD also became difficult around 5.5. She was a (relatively) easy baby/toddler/preschooler but when the switch flipped it was drastic. She's 8.5 now and honestly still pretty difficult. It's better now in the sense that it's not constant, but she is definitely a tough kid. </p> <p>Like @pachamama: we really prioritize sleep and outside time, but also general movement and activity. Those don't solve the issues but not getting enough of them definitely can make things worse. Karate has helped a bit because it not only gives her a physical outlet but also works on mindfulness techniques. </p> <p>I also have really enjoyed the book "Raising Your Spirited Child." I find myself flipping through it regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928218 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:21:32 +0000 JJ2626 2928218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: thanks! Appreciate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928217 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:20:53 +0000 JJ2626 2928217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@smuckers: ugh I’m sorry you’re there too. Solidarity! I’m totally telling myself what I tell new moms: this too shall pass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928216 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:20:17 +0000 JJ2626 2928216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: thank you! We’ve had a lot of schedule changes with travel and visitors the past few months so I’m hoping with a return to schedules, she gets a bit better? We shall see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928215 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:19:15 +0000 JJ2626 2928215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: thanks! Good to know we’re not alone! I’m happy your daughter finally came out of it. My kid is still in preschool but I think already thinking about kinder next year? Who knows. Wait it out is our plan! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928189 Fri, 21 Apr 2023 04:16:48 +0000 pachamama 2928189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has had periods of this since he was born. Absolutely miserable to be around. I felt so isolated because he, probably 50% of the time, is just unpleasant. My younger son is so sweet and easy.<br /> I'm sure you do this but just make sure she's sleeping enough and getting outside a lot. Solidarity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928186 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:30:28 +0000 smuckers 2928186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I literally posted on social media yesterday that I was prepared for sleepless nights with a newborn, infants having no fear, the terrible twos, threenagers, but was deeply, woefully underprepared for the Kindergarten Whine.</p> <p>No advice, just commiseration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928185 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:41:38 +0000 Chuckles 2928185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that as kids get out of the toddler years, they have so many more skills in terms of being able to follow directions, get their own snack, get dressed independently, etc. that sometimes they seem to be more capable in general than they actually are. It might help to reframe that even though she is gaining a lot of daily living skills, she is still 5 and her ability to understand and appropriately express her feelings is developing. I would guess that she's figuring out how to become more independent from you and is experiencing more complex emotions than a younger kid. Has anything else changed like sleep patterns? Is she in school for a longer amount of time than earlier? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928181 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:01:56 +0000 PinkElephant 2928181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My youngest (now 6.5) is coming out the darkness of a phase like this now. She still throws some major shade and can be stubborn about stupid things, but it is so improved from the screaming and hurling herself on the floor over every.little.thing. that was happening six to nine months ago. We were horrified that this behavior was coming from a kid that was way to old for it.</p> <p>Not sure what to tell. Nothing really “worked” to resolve it other than giving only very bland reactions (repeating instructions, ignoring/going about our business, not giving in to demands, stating that we couldn’t do “x” if she was screaming, asking what her teacher would think, etc.)…really I believe a lot of it was just that kindergarten was a big adjustment and she was stressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-is-so-difficult#post-2928177 Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:27:58 +0000 JJ2626 2928177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter turned 5 a couple of months ago and has been a nightmare ever since. She was the easiest, happiest kid who had barely ever had a temper tantrum and it was like a flip switched when she turned 5. I know we’ve been lucky so maybe it’s just our turn to have a tough kid but I am losing it. Everything is a meltdown, she won’t go to sleep, fights eating even her usual fave foods, and is just so unpleasant to be around. I think I would have dealt a lot better with a tough 3 year old bc at least they are little but I feel like she knows better than to act this way! Has anyone been through this? I am at a loss! </p>