I am the toddler whisperer and also a seasoned "I Want My Mommy" vet. Here is my trick which very rarely fails:
"The Eyebrow Trick" (a Laura Jones original) - While the child is lying in bed in very dim light if any, use your thumb and middle or forefinger to stroke both eyebrows very lightly from the middles out to the tips. Just keep doing it very slowly and lightly and rhythmically. While you're doing it, answer maybe every fourth question or concern of the child. For every four "I want my mommy"s, you say one "I know, honey" or whatever, very quietly. It takes some patience, but it has always been a miracle worker for me.
If that doesn't work, you can always try reverse/tricky psychology. Often if I just say to a screaming kid, "Do you just want to sit and cry for a while?" they quit within 10 seconds. Maybe you could ask her if she wants to just lie in bed and miss mommy for a while. I know we all know this, but it never hurts to say it: sometimes we all just want to be validated.
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"The Eyebrow Trick" (a Laura Jones original) - While the child is lying in bed in very dim light if any, use your thumb and middle or forefinger to stroke both eyebrows very lightly from the middles out to the tips. Just keep doing it very slowly and lightly and rhythmically. While you're doing it, answer maybe every fourth question or concern of the child. For every four "I want my mommy"s, you say one "I know, honey" or whatever, very quietly. It takes some patience, but it has always been a miracle worker for me.
If that doesn't work, you can always try reverse/tricky psychology. Often if I just say to a screaming kid, "Do you just want to sit and cry for a while?" they quit within 10 seconds. Maybe you could ask her if she wants to just lie in bed and miss mommy for a while. I know we all know this, but it never hurts to say it: sometimes we all just want to be validated.
Hope at least some of that helps!!
love,
Your Labortine