Agree with everything that PP said. I also think that this may be a way that she is manifesting that she is ready to take ownership of more things in her life. At that age, I created a visual check list for my charges for different times of day, and they were responsible for getting themselves ready (with help and reminders as needed).

IIRC their morning checklist was: go potty, get dressed, brush hair, eat breakfast.

The leaving the house checklist was: go potty, brush teeth, put on shoes and jacket.

Our coming home checklist was: hangup coat and put shoes away, wash hands.

I also tend to do things in a very ritualized manner. I think that for young kids this really helps them to see that we do things the same way every day and they can know what to expect. So every day while preschooler is eating breakfast, I am packing diaper bag and food for our outing, then I feed the baby while she cleans up after breakfast.

Wow very helpful thank you! She isn't starting preschool until the fall I think some charts are a great idea to get us through spring and summer and can edit them to fit the new fall schedule. Feels good to get some actual thoughtful advice on this site! -OP

Well, let's focus on the issue specifically: she feels out of control in her day. The solution is to provide more structure that will reassure her; in a preschool setting you'll see dozens of visuals designed to answer those concerns. There will be a weather chart that describes the weather and the appropriate gear, a picture-based schedule utilizing images of activities as well as clock faces, etc.

As many of her worries you can manage with visuals and rituals ("we always pack the water bottle immediately before we put on our shoes") the better. And once she doesn't have a million things running through her head and worrying her, you can start to probe around the other issues that can't be so easily addressed. So when she asks if you're going to be late, you can ask her what happens when you're late (probably nothing but maybe she's picking up some of this anxiety from things her parents or other adults say around her and you'll get a surprising response). When she asks if the baby is coming (does the baby always come?) say no, she's taking a trip to the moon while you're at the park. Or not, depending on her sense of humor. Just keep it light for her but always be reassuring and never deceptive.

Visuals visuals visuals.

My charge is going to be three next month and she seems to always be worried. She is always constantly wanting to know everything that is going on, when we are going, where we are going, which door we are leaving out of, which car we are going in, did I get everything, did I remember her water, does she need a jacket, is the baby coming too, are we going to get lost, are we on time, ETC. Now, I understand that part of this is processing her day and what is going on but, part of me feels that it is excessive. I want her to be able to just sit back and relax and be a carefree child and let me worry about all of the logistics. I am starting to wonder if she doesn't trust that I have everything handled or maybe I do not reassure her enough. Am I looking into this too much? Not only do the constant questions start to really annoy me, but they hinder her from completing her activities and having fun, as she is always worrying about what I'm doing. By the way, I do inform her about what we are doing, I don't just say,"please get your shoes on we are leaving." I try to explain what is happening i just cannot narrate the whole day and every move I make.

Does anyone else experience this or have any advice?