child too hyper

I have a three yr old daughter. My problem is when she gets chocolate, she acts uncontrollable. Literally spinning out of control. Now we have pretty much taken choc. out of her diet. but my mother in law is always giving it to her even when we tell her not to. Choc. is the only food that does this to her, but she can drink choc. milk and she doesn't react like when she has a Hershey kiss. Is there a possible reason for this? She acts like the excorsist(?) running around like a nut. Then she crashes hard when she comes down from the choc. high. but it doesn't take much choc. to get her to go crazy. Is this normal? or could there be some underlying problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[RockRose]

I think your mother in law is a bigger concern than your daughter,  really.  

A lot of kids react to chocolate or caffeine or sugar - and those around them all agree to monitor their intake.

What is with your MIL that she purposely gives this child chocolate?  

[RockRose]

I think your mother in law is a bigger concern than your daughter,  really.  

A lot of kids react to chocolate or caffeine or sugar - and those around them all agree to monitor their intake.

What is with your MIL that she purposely gives this child chocolate?  

[Tmdmc]

My MIL is very spiteful. If I do something to tick her off, she will retaliate(?). The thing is I work night shift 12 midnight to 8 am and she watches the kids from the time my husband goes to work around 6AM till I get home about 8:45AM. And just recently I guess I wasn't my happy go lucky self when I got home, so she got back at me by giving my daughter choc. Then when I got home she takes off and leaves me to deal with a completely wired child, meanwhile I am totally exhausted. So I guess my biggest problem is my MIL. So does anyone have any advice for me on that subject?  I'm just so stressed out about everything and I'm so ready to throw in the towel.

[jdtm]

Here is another thought - maybe your MIL does not enjoy getting up early and babysitting.  I'm not trying to be cruel, just realistic.  I suspect I am about your MIL's age and I would find it excruciatingly  unfair to do that.  If my grandchild were especially difficult on a early morning that I felt awful, I, too, might give the child sugar to keep her happy.  Your MIL has raised her children and I expect she is a bit resentful at having to raise yours.  

So, I disagree with the above poster - I think the biggest problem is finding a more acceptable solution to childcare and/or your family's job situations.  The fact that your MIL leaves as quickly as she can indicates that she really does not like this early morning duty (and I'll bet the FIL would never take on this task).  That does not mean she does not love her grandchild or the parents of her grandchild; it probably means she is 50-60 years of age and frankly, does not feel physically or mentally up to the task.  I know, because I have been there.

[Tmdmc]

for one thing, she volunteered to watch her grandchildren. We did not ask! And if she would let them sleep in the morning than she would not have to deal with an uncontrollable child, but she chooses to go and wake them up. And you have no idea about her raising her kids. She didn't! Don't go jumping to conclusions that I am having her raise my kids, she is with them 2 maybe 3 hrs in the morning. If you call that raising someone elses kids, who does it the other 21 hrs in the day? Oh that would be me!!! I think 21 beats 3. My husband and I bust our butts to work and provide for our kids,  if you didn't notice I work the midnight shift. my husband works daylight, because childcare is too expensive.    Anyway my child is not difficult until she is given choc. and the MIL knows that. My daughter is a calm good girl until the choc hits her system, then she becomes a wild child. MY MIL leaves fast because she gave my child choc and she wants me to suffer!!! My husband would even agree with me.   And about the father watching his children, my father loves to. If I lived closer to my family this wouldn't be a problem because they would do it without thinking twice. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE!!!     This story is so much bigger than you know so don't pass judgement on me. I was looking for a little advice not to be put down and told more or less that I'm trying to have someone else raise my kids.

[jdtm]

Sorry - you seem to have a lot of anger replying to a person who does not know you or your situation.  My reply was appropriate given the information.  I just know how most grandparents feel about babysitting - things I did not know at your age.