Talk to me about almost 5 year olds

[Whereneverever]

My second DD is almost five, she's just a few weeks off. She is not al all how I remember DD1 being at this age!

 

I'd love to know if you have a five year old or almost who is like this, or if it's just mine.

 

She still loves to be held and carried. She also loves to be rocked.

She still naps every day. If someone wakes her up she sobs.

She walks on tiptoes, I thought she would outgrow that by now?

She plays almost exclusively with baby dolls and stuff animals.

 

 

It's not uncommon for people to ask me if she's about three. She IS petite, but I don't think she looks like a three year old.

 

Does this seem really immature?

[Stayseeliz]

My DD2 won't be 5 until October but she still acts more like a "baby" than the others did at this point. I think her big brother and sister baby her a bit more so she just reflects that. I would say those behaviors aren't out of the ordinary!

[In the Rain]

My 2nd dd was still very cuddly and clingy as a 5 year old. I distinctly recall her wanting to be carried often, and always sitting in my lap as a 4yo. She is now a fiercely independent almost 8yo, so I miss those days. :001_wub:

 

I'm not sure what is wrong with playing with stuffed animals and dolls. My youngest dd played with stuffed animals at that age, and my oldest played with her baby doll. Both girls played Calico Critters and Magnatiles too. She also liked drawing and puzzles.

 

I don't know about the toe walking. My girls never did that. I'd ask the pediatrician about it.

 

My oldest napped until 6, but my youngest did not.

 

Nothing you said raises red flags for me. She sounds sweet and cuddly. If you are worried, I'd ask the pediatrician. I think moms have a gut instinct that lets them know when something is wrong. My youngest was clingy, but it didn't strike me as abnormal.

[SKL]

She doesn't sound immature to me, except maybe the wailing when someone wakes her up.

 

It seems to me that imaginitive play is exactly what she should be doing at that age, using whatever toys she happens to have around. At that age my youngest was crazy about her dollhouse, always coming up with new social / logistical scenarios to test out. I expect this to continue for some time, actually.

 

My 5.5yo still needs a nap. I don't think this is about immaturity, but more about how her body works. She's a physical kid and she needs sleep to recharge. She also loves to be held and carried, but she doesn't "need" to be. To me, that's more of a personal preference than a problem. (I don't indulge it too often but sometimes I do, because I like it too.) She can get through the day without being held and hugged.

 

I'd ask the doctor about walking on tiptoes, if you have not already. She could have something going on physically. Neither of my daughters ever did that.

[In the Rain]

She still naps every day. If someone wakes her up she sobs.

 

I reread your post and this jumped out at me. When my youngest became difficult to wake after naps, we took away the nap. She was definitely eager to nap, but when we woke her up, she was awful. Awful! She was just miserable from then until bedtime. When we took away her nap, she went down really early and slept at least 12 hours.

[joannqn]

We just took away naps from our 5 year old. He'd go down for 2 hours or more and was impossible to wake up. He's adjusted to no naps pretty well...just a few tantrums in the first week.

 

The thing that stands out for me is the walking on tip toes. If she is doing it consistently, it can signal other problems. That coupled with the wanting to be carried and rocked would concern me. I'd consult with your pediatrician if this is the case.

Edited March 9, 2012 by joannqn

[Jennifer in MI]

I don't know about the tiptoe thing, but my just turned six year old is still very much this way. She loves to be carried and rocked. I'm okay with it because she's our last.

[Pippen]

My daughter was emotionally more sensitive and had less physical stamina than my boys did at this same age. It wasn't a sign of anything except that she needed a little more time to develop than some kids in these areas. She's grown into a very mature, poised young teen.

 

If you're seeing toe walking as well I agree it's worth taking the time to do some research. Nothing at all wrong with playing with dolls and animals but you want to tune into how she's playing...ie is it typical imaginative play, mostly lining them up, etc.

[Whereneverever]

My 2nd dd was still very cuddly and clingy as a 5 year old. I distinctly recall her wanting to be carried often, and always sitting in my lap as a 4yo. She is now a fiercely independent almost 8yo, so I miss those days. :001_wub:

 

I'm not sure what is wrong with playing with stuffed animals and dolls. My youngest dd played with stuffed animals at that age, and my oldest played with her baby doll. Both girls played Calico Critters and Magnatiles too. She also liked drawing and puzzles.

 

I don't know about the toe walking. My girls never did that. I'd ask the pediatrician about it.

 

My oldest napped until 6, but my youngest did not.

 

Nothing you said raises red flags for me. She sounds sweet and cuddly. If you are worried, I'd ask the pediatrician. I think moms have a gut instinct that lets them know when something is wrong. My youngest was clingy, but it didn't strike me as abnormal.

 

I don't think anything is wrong with playing with her babies and stuffed animals, I just didn't know if it was normal. :001_smile:

 

She doesn't sound immature to me, except maybe the wailing when someone wakes her up.

 

It seems to me that imaginitive play is exactly what she should be doing at that age, using whatever toys she happens to have around. At that age my youngest was crazy about her dollhouse, always coming up with new social / logistical scenarios to test out. I expect this to continue for some time, actually.

 

My 5.5yo still needs a nap. I don't think this is about immaturity, but more about how her body works. She's a physical kid and she needs sleep to recharge. She also loves to be held and carried, but she doesn't "need" to be. To me, that's more of a personal preference than a problem. (I don't indulge it too often but sometimes I do, because I like it too.) She can get through the day without being held and hugged.

 

I'd ask the doctor about walking on tiptoes, if you have not already. She could have something going on physically. Neither of my daughters ever did that.

 

I should have noted that she's epileptic and has some neurological issues. Her neurologist just watch her walk a month ago a commented, but it's not autism or her Achilles.

 

I reread your post and this jumped out at me. When my youngest became difficult to wake after naps, we took away the nap. She was definitely eager to nap, but when we woke her up, she was awful. Awful! She was just miserable from then until bedtime. When we took away her nap, she went down really early and slept at least 12 hours.

 

Maybe we need to try dropping naps. I thought since she was sleeping she needed it. Hmmmm.

 

We just took away naps from our 5 year old. He'd go down for 2 hours or more and was impossible to wake up. He's adjusted to no naps pretty well...just a few tantrums in the first week.

 

The thing that stands out for me is the walking on tip toes. If she is doing it consistently, it can signal other problems. That coupled with the wanting to be carried and rocked would concern me. I'd consult with your pediatrician if this is the case.

 

Thanks for pointing me to that with the toes, it seems to confirm it's related to her neurological status. Sigh.

[trlt]

My dd is going to be 5 in a few weeks and sounds a lot like your dd. I don't think it's abnormal at all!

[In the Rain]

Maybe we need to try dropping naps. I thought since she was sleeping she needed it. Hmmmm.

 

If she just cries when woken, and then gets over it, it may not be a problem. My dd would want to sleep hard for at least 2 or 3 hours. When we woke her, or she woke herself, she would be unbearable until bedtime. She was unhappy and we were unhappy.

 

After we took the nap away, she'd fall asleep between 6:30 and 7:00, and sleep through until 8 or 9 the next morning. It worked better for us because her cranky-need-a-nap self was way better than her cranky-how-dare-you-wake-me-up- self. :lol: It made evening activities difficult for a while, but day to day life was better. :001_smile:

[Whereneverever]

If she just cries when woken, and then gets over it, it may not be a problem. My dd would want to sleep hard for at least 2 or 3 hours. When we woke her, or she woke herself, she would be unbearable until bedtime. She was unhappy and we were unhappy.

 

After we took the nap away, she'd fall asleep between 6:30 and 7:00, and sleep through until 8 or 9 the next morning. It worked better for us because her cranky-need-a-nap self was way better than her cranky-how-dare-you-wake-me-up- self. :lol: It made evening activities difficult for a while, but day to day life was better. :001_smile:

 

She cries for twenty to thirty minutes, then perks up. Hmmmm. More to ponder!:lol:

[gardening momma]

She still naps every day. If someone wakes her up she sobs.

When dd6 (also when she was 5) falls asleep in the car, she hates to be told when she wakes up that she was sleeping. She vigorously denies it and gets really upset if I even imply that she had been asleep. She'll say "I wasn't asleep! I was imagining!"

 

So yes, she still sometimes "naps" (not at home, but sometimes accidentally in the car), and she wakes up out of sorts. It is slowly getting better. I think she is beginning to understand that she does fall asleep in the car sometimes, and is beginning to be ok with it. :001_smile:

[sewingmama]

I don't think it is abnormal -every child is different.

 

My 5yo gave up naps at 18 months and refused to be carried once she started walking at 9 months -but she is hugely independent and always has been.

 

My 4yo was similar to my 5yo - definately not a baby by 2 yo

 

BUT my almost 3yo - still has a bottle -still has a paci - still drags his blanket everywhere - always asking to be carried -still takes naps and won't let me out of his sight. He is very much dependent and probably will be similar at 5 - it's just his personality -he is not as independent as my first two -they were already potty trained at his age but he wants nothing to do with it because he is attatched to his diapers just like everything else he owns :glare:

 

I wouldn't worry about it

[Wheres Toto]

My youngest will be 5 in July. Right now she is cuddled up with dh on the couch, as she always is to go to sleep. When she joins us in bed in the morning, she makes me lie so she can put her hand on my back under my shirt and throw one leg over my legs. So, yeah she likes to cuddle. She likes to be held and hugged. I won't carry her around much anymore because she already weighs 45 pounds.

 

She also still plays a lot with stuffed animals and dolls. More animals than baby dolls but the stuffed animals are often "children". She plays these games with her brother, who is 6 1/2 so I don't think it's a sign of immaturity. Some of the games get pretty complicated.

 

We haven't done naps in years but she only potty trained a couple of months ago.

[LibraryLover]

:) 4 is an age of disequalibrium.

Edited March 10, 2012 by LibraryLover

[Whereneverever]

You guys have made me feel so much better. :001_smile:

[Pamela H in Texas]

I wouldn't worry about the napping thing. Some kids need naps longer. I *would* however, after having gone through this with a kid, have a bag of Hershey's Kisses available for two kisses after nap to snap her back to reality without the fuss.

 

Toe walking is definitely an issue in a 5yo unless it is just ballerina stuff. I skimmed through and it looks like you've discussed this with a doctor though.

 

The rest is no biggie. All kids are different. I wish my almost 5yo was like any of that at all.

[chicagoshannon]

My dd will be 5 in 3 weeks. She does not nap regularly but if she happens to fall asleep and she freaks out if she wakes up prematurely. It's getting better though.

 

She has never really walked on tip toes except in ballet class. She loves playing with her Barbies or Ponies and loves to cuddle and be carried.

 

I think I'd ask the pediatrician about the toe walking but everything else seems within the realms of normal to me.

[In the Rain]

Reading about all of the sweet, cuddly 5 year olds makes me miss mine. :001_wub: My former cuddle bug has just informed me that her book was too exciting for her to come say good morning to me. :tongue_smilie:

[ChristusG]

DD #2 just turned 5 yesterday.

 

For 4.5 years, she was the baby....she still wants to be. :D

 

Most nights, she'll still fall asleep at night as I rock her in the recliner while I watch TV with DH. She loves to snuggle. She would like to still be carried a lot, but with the baby, she needs to walk.

 

But yes, she is still very much the "baby".

[Birkenkathy]

My 13 yo still plays with stuffed animals and dolls. I like that my kids are not having to grow up too fast.

 

My just-turned 5yo also still loves to snuggle. She's too heavy to carry, but she would love it if I would. Other than the toe-walking (which I can't speak about really) that all sounds pretty normal for me. Although the toe-walking could be a pretending thing. Maybe she's a ballerina or something.

[Whereneverever]

DD #2 just turned 5 yesterday.

 

For 4.5 years, she was the baby....she still wants to be. :D

 

Most nights, she'll still fall asleep at night as I rock her in the recliner while I watch TV with DH. She loves to snuggle. She would like to still be carried a lot, but with the baby, she needs to walk.

 

But yes, she is still very much the "baby".

 

Haha, that is so like my little girl! I'm really happy to hear that other big kids still like being the baby.

[Whereneverever]

I wouldn't worry about the napping thing. Some kids need naps longer. I *would* however, after having gone through this with a kid, have a bag of Hershey's Kisses available for two kisses after nap to snap her back to reality without the fuss.

 

Toe walking is definitely an issue in a 5yo unless it is just ballerina stuff. I skimmed through and it looks like you've discussed this with a doctor though.

 

The rest is no biggie. All kids are different. I wish my almost 5yo was like any of that at all.

 

Not ballerina, she does have some neurological issues from epilepsy and her neuro attributes it to that. I just keep hoping she'll outgrow it or something. :confused:

[gardening momma]

Not ballerina, she does have some neurological issues from epilepsy and her neuro attributes it to that. I just keep hoping she'll outgrow it or something. :confused:

Does she always walk on her toes and never on the rest of her foot? If that's the case, I'd get that checked out.

[swellmomma]

My youngest will be 5 in the fall. She is very much the one wanting to cuddle up and be babied. But we created that, she is the baby of the family. I am happy for her to stay little forever ;)

 

Dolls etc it is normal and should be encouraged She is 4 not 14, dolls are supposed to be what she plays with.

 

Toe walking I would talk to a ped about

 

Napping, I only gave up my nap at age 7 because I was forced to. I went back to taking one in high school (usually during class lol but if I managed to stay awake all day I would sleep as soon as I got home from school). TO this day I would nap everyday if I could. SOme people just need a lot more sleep. I am one of those people that to be the best I can be I need 12-14 hours of sleep in a day. I currently average 4 interrupted hours. As long as the naps are not interfering with her bedtime let her nap for as many years as her body deems necessary.

[joannqn]

Not ballerina, she does have some neurological issues from epilepsy and her neuro attributes it to that. I just keep hoping she'll outgrow it or something. :confused:

 

Don't hope she'll grow out of it. Around that age (maybe a bit older), I remember the doctor's talking about surgery to lengthen my brother's achilles tendons because they had become too shortened to walk normally. He walked on his toes exclusively though, never flat on his foot.

[Janie Grace]

Not ballerina, she does have some neurological issues from epilepsy and her neuro attributes it to that. I just keep hoping she'll outgrow it or something. :confused:

 

My ds11 toe-walked and it wasn't neurological at all. He just had tight tendons at the backs of his ankles. The pediatrician showed me some stretches to do to help lengthen them. They helped a TON! Eventually, he stopped. I wouldn't stress about it -- it could be unrelated and easily treatable.

[Whereneverever]

My ds11 toe-walked and it wasn't neurological at all. He just had tight tendons at the backs of his ankles. The pediatrician showed me some stretches to do to help lengthen them. They helped a TON! Eventually, he stopped. I wouldn't stress about it -- it could be unrelated and easily treatable.

 

How do I know if it's something to worry about? Less then a month ago she had a full work up at a children's hospital and they watched her walk but didn't suggest trying to fix it. Her Ped has seen it, too, and not really acted concerned.

[gardening momma]

How do I know if it's something to worry about? Less then a month ago she had a full work up at a children's hospital and they watched her walk but didn't suggest trying to fix it. Her Ped has seen it, too, and not really acted concerned.

Does she walk on her toes all the time? Does she ever use the rest of her foot? --as in, each day she walks normally at least part of the time? Or does she go days without coming down off her toes? That would worry me, and I'd look for a specialist. I would go to a podiatrist.

[Whereneverever]

Does she walk on her toes all the time? Does she ever use the rest of her foot? --as in, each day she walks normally at least part of the time? Or does she go days without coming down off her toes? That would worry me, and I'd look for a specialist. I would go to a podiatrist.

 

She can use her whole foot if I remind her and help her step, but if she's walking and not thinking about it it's toe walking. I think she runs normally, though?

[Mommy22alyns]

She still loves to be held and carried. She also loves to be rocked. *My almost 7yo is just now getting over wanting to be carried now & then. And she still loves "lappies" and being rocked.

 

She still naps every day. If someone wakes her up she sobs. *I don't think it's unusual for an almost 5yo to still nap.

 

 

She walks on tiptoes, I thought she would outgrow that by now? *I've been wondering about this myself, as again, Sylvia does this sometimes

 

She plays almost exclusively with baby dolls and stuff animals. *Nothing wrong with that! Both of my girls have stuffed "friends" that they sleep with every night.

[Pamela H in Texas]

I think I'd ask for a PT eval.

 

Does she have any sensory issues? Any other OT type things? I guarantee my mother (an OT) would be more than a little concerned about toe-walking in a 5yo.

[Whereneverever]

I think I'd ask for a PT eval.

 

Does she have any sensory issues? Any other OT type things? I guarantee my mother (an OT) would be more than a little concerned about toe-walking in a 5yo.

 

Ot is only through the school here, as far as I know.