[Tarrahsmom]

I would like to know how to handle my 4 year old daughters obvious infantile behavior regression in response to unequal attention paid by grandma to her 2 year old cousin.I think my daughter is engaging in an obvious form of playing dumb or in this case playing like she's 2 in an attempt to garner the same attention and acknoweldgement from my mother who is oblivious to these antics,she is also beginning to do this at home much to my frustration.I would like any suggestions or strategies to help her understand I think she is wonderful for who she is and I will always be proud of her at any age and she is the star in my sky?

[QLP]

Grandparents often give more attention to the youngest, newest grandchild. My mother-in-law did this with my kids. My son was the apple of her eye until my daughter was born. I kept gently pointing it out to her, though it was hard going getting the message across. However, when I started cutting visits short if she wouldn't listen she started getting the message.

Depends if you think you should tackle the grandma or get the child to accept the unfair treatment, after all life is not fair ultimately, but I think parents and grandparents should be.

If being 2 is what gets your mothers attention it's no wonder you daughter is acting like she is 2. If you don't wish to tackle your mum then I would suggest finding things your daughter can enjoy because she is 4 that a 2 year old can't. Show her some advantages to being 4. Let her help you with things because she is a 'big girl' and give her lots of praise for doing so.