Irratic Behavior in three year old towards others- one minute nice, the next hateful.

[bljulianosu]

I watch a three year old girl during the day with my two year old and the three year old has very irratic behavior.  One minute she is the most perfect angel towards my daughter and I and the next she is very hateful and angry.  One minute she wants to give and receive hugs and the next she makes grunts and yells, "leave me alone!"  There are several mood changes throughout the day.  Any suggestions?  I don't know if this is a discipline problem or something else deeper.  Her parents got a divorce when she was 15 months old and she goes to each parent's house every other day.  She is tossed around alot.  

[specialmom]

I think I would be moody if I had to go back and forth like that too.  Poor thing----- so young to learn the realities of life.  I would try to just be extra patient with her and kind.  She lives a bit of an unstable life which can lead to great distress.  You can give her kind time outs but I would be very loving to her.  She may be jealous in her own little 3 year old way that your daughter gets to be with mommy and she can't.  

If it proves too difficult, it may not be the best babysitting situation for her or you.  She may do better with someone who has older children than her.  Good luck.