Tantrums/What's normal?

Whenigrowup

So, DD just turned 4.  She is a pretty mild-mannered, easy going kid.  The last couple of weeks, though, she has been having major meltdowns--screaming, throwing things, hitting, kicking, the works.  It is usually over things like not getting to watch a show she wants or repeatedly not following directions leading to a consequence (We asked you to come upstairs for a bath and you wouldn't, so Daddy started the water--something she loves to do.)  They usually end in 5-10 minutes, with the loud/wild part ending in less than 5 minutes, and the remaining time being crying/remorse/calming down.

A couple people who know her have commented about how mad/upset she gets, which is making me think that this is beyond regular tantrum stuff.  Is anything I'm describing out of the ordinary for a 4 year old?  Can I cross my fingers that this is just a phase that will pass?

thebanich

My 3.5 year does this. It gets exponentially worse when she is tired and when her schedule gets messed up.

I don't think the behavior is out of the ordinary for this age, it just makes you want to rip your hair out.

tbmadeamistake

Granted I don't have a four year old yet, but that seems pretty normal tantrum behavior to me. If it's not her norm, is there anything going on at school or physically (teeth, growing pains, etc) that might have her a little out of whack?

Whenigrowup

Lilygrace48 said:

Granted I don't have a four year old yet, but that seems pretty normal tantrum behavior to me. If it's not her norm, is there anything going on at school or physically (teeth, growing pains, etc) that might have her a little out of whack?

I can't think of anything except that she's been pretty congested and was running a fever this weekend.  School has been going really well actually, after a streak of "yellow" days a couple of months ago. 

I guess the other thing that worries me is that the frequency has really increased.  She used to only do this once every couple of months or so, and she's done it like 8 times in the past two weeks.  I guess I will take her to her doctor to check for ear infection if it continues. She hasn't had an ear infection in a really long time, and isn't complaining about her ears, but it is a possibility.  

cyprissa

My 3.5 year old has been going through this. It is way worse when he is tired. I think it is probably just a phase.