Poppy is only 8 and a half but showing signs of pre-tween behaviour already. My usually lovely, kind, quiet and affectionate little girl has recently been displaying outbursts of anger, frustration, grumpiness, stroppiness and all sorts of other behaviours which quite frankly are alien to her and us.
On Boxing Day she was being quite horrible to her sisters and my parents weren’t feeling well so we decided to take the girls out for some fresh air for a few hours. First we went out for lunch so no-one could complain of being hungry. It was just McDonalds but we only usually go there on long journeys. Then we drove to Haresfield Beacon and Standish woods, somewhere we would often go when we lived in Gloucester:
The younger two were having a fantastic time but Poppy started grumping as soon as we got there. I explained to her that fresh air is good for moods, tried to talk to her and make her laugh but in the end I got cross. I told her we would not be going home until she cheered up:
Thankfully the other two were up for a long walk. The sky was bright blue, they liked the familiarity of where we were and they had a great time. It was warm too so after a while the coats were ditched and they ran around happily breathing in the fresh air and appreciating the views. They couldn’t understand what was wrong with their big sister:
Poppy on the other hand was miserable. She grumped, stropped, complained and dawdled for hours:
I just kept telling her we wouldn’t be going home until she cheered up and started enjoying herself. She resisted and resisted but in the end she gave in:
She started to run around with her sisters, talk to us all and actually have fun. When the younger ones complained of being tired she told me she was sorry that they had had to stay out for so long and felt bad…. we were out for 5 hours:
I do love my big girl but I do hope this behaviour doesn’t stick around. Its horrible. We survived though. Exhausted but all happy again, we headed off back to Nanny and Gramps where they were thankfully feeling a little better too.
I can tell you Poppy was back to her normal self and once again nice to her sisters too. Fresh air really can cure the strops.
Karen x
Claire
January 28, 2017 at 8:03 pm (8 years ago)That’s good to know. I’m sure the mood changes must be hard for all of you. I hope it was a one off. Love photos. Looks like a gorgeous winter day. #countrykids
Would Like to Be
January 29, 2017 at 8:43 pm (8 years ago)Theres been a few but touch wood we seem to be managing them and she’s currently behaving like our gorgeous, kind and thoughtful girl x
Pamela Agar
January 28, 2017 at 9:27 pm (8 years ago)I’m glad the fresh air finally cured the mood – sounds really stressful, but hopefully it’s a short phase. What glorious photographs! It looks like it was easy to spend 5 hours outside! #countrykids
Would Like to Be
January 29, 2017 at 8:42 pm (8 years ago)It really was a lovely day and like you said not hard to spend all that time outdoors. It worked a treat and cheered her up no end x
Coombe Mill
January 28, 2017 at 11:23 pm (8 years ago)I love this post and yes it is true, fresh air really does cure strops. I’d love to say Poppy’s behavior is unusual and won’t happen again but I’d be fibbing, in my experience there could be worse to come but some equally lovely times in between to balance things out. I love how you handled the situation and how the other 2 girls just ignored the situation ad carried on enjoying the fresh air themselves until Poppy joined in again.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Would Like to Be
January 29, 2017 at 8:41 pm (8 years ago)Thanks Fiona, We’ve had a few of these moods but have come up with a few different ways to cure or prevent them. Seems to be helping. I am planning to write a post all about it.Fresh air is definitely top of the list. Its had to be grumpy for too long when everyone else is having fun x
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
February 1, 2017 at 10:37 pm (8 years ago)So glad to hear that the fresh air eventually helped improve Poppy’s mood. It looks like a beautiful place for a day out and those hills look like so much fun. Looks like your younger two girls had a wonderful time 🙂 #countrykids
Sara | mumturnedmom
February 2, 2017 at 1:39 am (8 years ago)Fresh air really does do wonders for your mood – it does for me too! I can relate to the (pre-)tween moods… my eldest son will be eleven this year and we have had our moments. To be honest, my little girl, at four, has some cracking moods too – I’m not looking forward to the tween/teen years with her 🙂 What a gorgeous spot to cheer up. Love the matching dresses too! #countrykids
Mudpie Fridays
February 2, 2017 at 8:43 am (8 years ago)This is a great idea, I may try this with my four year old lol! I’m glad it worked valuable lesson there on consequences too! Beautiful pictures of the three of them. Stopping by from #countrykids x
chocolateandwineandillbefine
February 2, 2017 at 9:50 am (8 years ago)Aww I love that the fresh air worked in the end. I love the idea of staying outside until the strop was over, and it seemed like a beautiful walk. My 4 year old is only just getting over the threenager strops, please don’t tell me they come back so soon! #countrykids