[Le-a]

For the last couple of weeks DS has been doing the "wet noodle" (going floppy, head back, arms loose, impossible to hold) when faced with doing something he doesn't want. So; getting into his car seat, into his high chair, being put down on the floor, being lifted onto the change table, and my personal favorite - when being lifted out of the bath...

Several times I have almost dropped him, and I'm a bit worried that when someone who isn't quite so prepared for it to happen is holding him, he may chuck a wobbly and they could drop him.

Can you tell me, if your child did this, when did it end???

How did you react to this behavior? At the moment, if he does it say, when I go to put him on the ground, I just gently lay him down and walk away. Generally he has a whinge and then rolls over and gets on with things.

I would really appreciated any stories you could share, when it happens in public I feel so out of control, like I'm trying to hold onto 12kgs of jelly!

Ta

[jenchristo]

When it ends I'll let you know... DD still does it and she's nearly 3. She also adds the bonus of shrieking "No mummeeeee, you're hurting meeeeee". The looks I get...

[~shannon~]

Aaah, so that's what it's called! My DD does this as well ALL THE TIME and it drives me nuts. She's 21 months and not looking at all like she will stop it. What really annoys me is when I go to pick her up under her armpits and she straighens them up above her head so there's nothing to grab hold of any more.
My strategy at the moment is to ignore it and walk away (no matter how loud she is yelling at me). She generally picks herself up and follows me so I get her to where I want in the end. It's still frustrating though.

[Le-a]

What really annoys me is when I go to pick her up under her armpits and she straighens them up above her head so there's nothing to grab hold of any more.
.

YES! This is it! Where do their shoulder blades disappear to?

[*Finn*]

When it ends I'll let you know... DD still does it and she's nearly 3. She also adds the bonus of shrieking "No mummeeeee, you're hurting meeeeee". The looks I get...

this made me giggle sorry PP

DD is also another 'wet noodle' !! And she hasn't even turned 1 yet.....ahhhh don't tell me she could be doing this still at 3!!

[moomin mamma]

I have had it with DD who is now 2 years 2 months. I just as OP wrote, walked away (of course when safe!) Eg. If she wouldn't come out of the bathroom when she had finished in the shower, I would empty all water, then tell her what I was doing, and turn off the light and walk out. I would just leave her and continue with what I was doing.

I try and get her to do as much as possible herself. She climbs up into her chair and she climbs down (she has a Tripp Trapp). She puts on her socks and I put on her shirt. Often I'll say "Bring favourite toy to the car". She climbs up in her seat herself now. And she HATES being rushed, so I just have to start getting ready earlier. And she LIKES knowing what is happening, what are the plans eg. "After daycare, we'll have a snack and then go shopping. We need to buy milk and bread. Ok?"

At 16 kg and 93 cm she is a very heavy and tall wet noodle, and I can't hold her at 6 months pregnant - my heartburn is killing me! She still does it sometimes, but barely as much.

[kidwrangler]

I call it the 'drop and flop'... I am sorry to say that in my house with DS (3.5yo) it has progressed to the 'stop, drop and scream' Sorry, not much help though am I?

We pretty much give him a minute of ignoring to try and calm down and then move closer to do the silent hold and refill the emotional tank before trying to re-engage with the issue. It actually seems to work most times. If he's really cracked it, it can be a bit scary trying to get close enough to cuddle though, so judgement is used on how to approach.

All the best and hope it's a quick phase - I certainly don't remember it with DD!