my five year old misbehaving

[nanooseh]

My daughter just turned five and she is as smart as can be she already knows how to read and write but she has had a lot of trouble sitting still during any activity she does at school and she has to be reminded by the teacher to work instead of chatting with her friends..she does a good job at the end but after losing a few minutes of nap or lunch time..at home she wont be able to sit still to eat..
am five months pregnant and ever since we told her about the baby eveything got even worse. not listening to me my husband or her teacher ,does not like sharing or waiting her turn anymore but she talks a lot about the baby and she talks to him and kisses my belly a lot could she be already jealous?

any advise?? we really need to work thing out before the new baby.

[specialmom]

Hi.  Oh, I love 5 year olds!  Your little girl sounds super smart and social which is great.  My suggestion for sitting still is this----------  I would make sure she gets lots of physical activity outside of when she needs to sit.  Get her running races around the house, doing tubling, playing soccer (indoor if it is cold where you are), taking swim lessons, etc.  Some kids really need movement to relax their nervous systems and providing a lot of it during "off" hours may help her sit when she needs to.  Not until 1st grade is the ability to sit a real must and even then, teachers make allowances for wiggle worms as many still are at that age.  But I think it would help her to have extra physical activity to settle her a bit.

Few things shake up a kid's life like the entry of a new sibling.  It is a BIG deal.  I'm glad that she is excited about it and I'd keep that going.  My pediatrician told me this trick for after the baby comes------------  when your older daughter needs you, say to the baby who could care less--------- "now baby, you are going to have to wait a minute because I am taking care of Sally".  This way when you have to tell your daughter to wait a minute as you are helping the baby, she will just think it is the baby's turn and she'll get hers next.  Also, have some special things for her to do while you nurse the baby (if you are nursing which is hard for some kids to see that special mama attention elsewhere)---------  have a special box of coloring books, books to read, puzzles that you only bring out when you are nursing.  She'll look forward to you feeding the baby!  Let her be your helper, the big girl but let her be the baby some too.  Do some one on one things with her as well.  But they will grow to be great friends.  My sister is 5 years older than me and I love her dearly!  good luck

[MrsPincince]

Hi:-) this is just my 2 cents so for worth it worth here goes...She's only 5 and she been the only "baby" in the house since she can remember. The not sitting still in school I think is just her being a kid. Some kids stay still some kids can't. I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes disruptive in class. I would address it with her and see if she can explain why she can't sit still. If she can't then maybe you should talk to her DR. (LAST RESORT) Now about her getting worse since you told her about the baby...Yes I think she could be jealous. Why don't you try this..Take her on a mommy and me day. I don't know about you but my 5 yr old and I can have a conversation. i can say to him "JJ why have you been acting" ...(you get my drift) and he won't shut down. He will actually tell me. So take her on a mommy and me day (maybe lunch somewhere she likes) and talk to her. Like you said she's smart as can be so i know she'll understand what you are talking to her about. If she's in a mutual environment with your FULL attention, she should respond. Also let her know that she has the MOST important role of big sister. Get her involved with the pregnancy. Take her to appt's (if you can), ask her opinion on anything that has to do with the baby (so she feels important too) IMO I think she will respond to that and she will turn around. Again this is just my opinion. I say why not give it a shot.