George & Charlotte throw right royal tantrums
It’s the problem every parent can relate to when they’re expecting a new baby – the kids acting out as they try to adjust to the news a little brother or sister is on the way. And the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge certainly aren’t exempt from this dilemma as four-year-old George and two-year-old Charlotte prepare for their new sibling.
While Prince William, 35, has admitted his older child is “a little monkey” – and visitors to the palace say he has a habit of opening and slamming doors and rifling through anything left within hand’s reach – the doting dad has described Charlotte as “a little joy of heaven”.
But their young daughter is starting to push the boundaries, too, say royal insiders, with tears and tantrums becoming more commonplace in the lead-up to Kate giving birth to the couple’s third child in April. In fact, palace sources say the adorable princess is quite the professional when it comes to having a right royal temper tantrum!
HANDS-ON KATE
Kate, 35, is tackling the problem head-on now she has finally overcome the debilitating morning sickness she suffered in the early stages of her pregnancy. No longer bedbound,
‘There will be a period when their behaviour is a bit challenging’
she’s been able to spend more time with young George and Charlotte – and she’s doing her best to assure them that having another little prince or princess in the family is going to be a whole heap of fun.
STICKING TO ROUTINE
In addition to resuming George’s school run, Kate has been organising her royal engagements around the kids’ meals and bedtimes, making sure she’s there to tuck George and Charlotte into bed and read them a story before she leaves for any official function.
And to make them feel even more special, Kate and William were spotted whisking their children away for a fun weekend recently, boarding a train for the two-hour trip to the Duke of Westminster’s annual bonfire fire and fireworks display in Chester. It was a treat George particularly enjoyed, given his love of trains.
They might be royalty, but the adorable prince and princess are not out of the ordinary when it comes s to their hesitation about sharing Mum and Dad with a new baby.
Melbourne-based child and family counsellor Penny Gibson says their behaviour is s normal and that Kate is doing g the right thing by keeping up daily routines with the kids.
“When there’s a period of change, it’s important that parents keep other things in their children’s lives as similar as possible,” Penny tells Woman’s Day. “So if one parent usually does the school drop-off, or story time and tuck-in each night, it’s important to continue that, so there are times George and Charlotte know are regular touchpoints.”
Penny says Charlotte’s tantrums are particularly understandable as, being just two years old and not used to sharing her mum’s attention with a baby, she’s likely to act out in this manner more than her older brother.
But even with the best intentions, Penny warns Kate and William not to expect miracles overnight.
“There will be a period of adjustment when their behaviour is a bit challenging,” she says. “It’s a normal thing for a child to go through when something’s going on that’s a big transition in their life.”