My3 yr ol just cries for nothing at night

[Lovi07]

My 3 yr old girl just cries at night for nothing. I can put her to sleep at times no problem she will fall asleep. Other times it's hard to put her to sleep she refuses to go to bed I will lay her in bed turn lights off close the door and she will fuss but i just let her cry at times she will go to sleep if i let her take a nap during the day thats when its hard to put her to sleep at night so I stop letting her take naps just keep her busy. Like last night my child just cried for nothin 3 in the morning cause she wanted something to drink but she cries instead of using her words like I expalin to her after I gave her water she started to cry for her blanket, then her barbie and her pillow after she cried for an hour for all that stuff she started to cry cause she wanted to go to the living room she went in there by herself and went to sleep on the couch but she cried first. I tried to just let her cry or tell her to go do it or tell her to use her words nothing works its like she dont want you to rest she wants me to do everything for her but I tell her she is a big girl and this has always been a problem since she was little Im tired and out of ideas, I am a single parent with help from one a good friend. She is a smart little girl for her aged. She is bad all the time though and I am trying to break her bad habits on saying she dont care and talkin back, crying throwing fits. I tried everything to disipline her but nothing seems to work seems to get worse.I never ever seen a kid that cries every night for nothing, for water or her toy, blanket. And I don't want to baby her at all but its driving me crazy. Any ideas Please..

[margypops]

Not easy is it, frustrating when you are doing your best, you are not alone we have all been through similar, I have found that sometimes the more attention we pay to a problem the worse we make it, almost like firing them up, once you get into arguing mode its hard to stop that pattern but it can be done, So lets take the scenario of her shouting NO to you, what was she saying no about? is there any way you can accomodate what she wanted to do ? if not then walk away from her, do not engage in any verbal battles,if she persists use the time out method, sit her on a chair, cushion, stairs and quietly tell her she has to stay there until she is quiet and sorry. If she yells, thats okay, if she comes off the chair take her back.over and over if you have to.however its best to nip it in the bud before you get to this, so distraction can work, children get mad when they are bored, make sure she has plenty to do, fun and games get dad involved to give you a much needed break.Dont think she has ADD or anything else. Stay quiet and firm and loving ..good luck  

[1isenough]

I to am a single parent of a 3 year old little girl who acts in the same way as lovi07's daughter does, when it comes to getting her to sleep I tend to stay in the room with her till she falls asleep then I leave the room, a little while later she wakes up screaming and does that periodically throughout the nite. During the day she uses the word "no" a lot with me, tells me she don't like me, and screams all day long! I try to stay calm and talk to her like I want her to talk to me that doesn't work. I take her to the park, she plays with other kids, and we do spend quality time together but I'm at my end of patience with all of it.  Do u have any other advice besides what u had said to lovi07 because I have tried it all. Sometimes I think she has add or adhd or something. She is so smart, and will have a conversation with anyone, she is not afraid of strangers she will walk up to anyone at anytime and that keeps me on my toes. I'm pottytraining her and she is doing really good at it I must say but she has major attitude about everything! HELP!

[margypops]

Well shes adorable isnt she its hard to get tough on them, but thats what you have to do, I sympathise I have been through the same, so by you taking her , a drink, a blamnky, a barbie, a pillow you are in fact enabling her behavior, I told you its going to be tough, what you have to do is put her to bed with all the things she wants, read some stroies,and leave the room, if she yells and she will, let her, if she comes out takes her back, do not give way, remain calm and quiet.Time outs work if she is naughty during the day, no harsh dicipllne .She is trying to get your attention so make sure you spend quality time with her, games and fun  good luck ..