How awful do I feel- Re: son's tantrum

beachgirl1977

Tonight was a really rough night. 2 time outs for not listening and then he got upset when I washed his hair and got him out of the bath. So he starts his new thing which is throwing himself around on the floor> of course there is no reasoning with him at this point and I see no point in wrestling with a kicking and screaming toddler who naked and wet trying to dress him. SO I told him top find me when he was finished. He cried naked in the hallway for 6 minutes while I sat downstairs. When  could hear he was calming down I gave him hugs and a glass of milk and then bedtime was better. I know reasoning and trying to dress him was useless, but I still feel bad. I keep telling myself it was his choice to cry and kick. I was ready whenever he wanted to get me.

Is it me or are there more tantrums as 3?

amanda&rob

I'm not there yet, but I heard 3 is worse than 2.  You did the right thing.

Temp108743750006959

I think I've had that very same scenario and I wouldn't have done it differently.

Tracy1011

3 is DEFINITELY worse than 2.  It's been a rough road.  But I honestly see nothing wrong with what you did.  You walked away, didn't give in to the tantrum, and you were there for him when he needed you.

However, we recently (as in three weeks ago) started a sticker chart for this type of stuff.  When he does something good, he gets a sticker.  When he is bad or throws tantrums, I warn him that he's going to get an x, which cancels out a sticker. If at the end of the week, he has more stickers than x's, he gets a special treat.  He HATES the X's so much that I usually just have to warn him and he straightens up.  Life has been much much more peaceful around her.  Maybe give that a try?

Hang in there, I'm sure it gets easier. 

Zenya

I think you did great.  You were available.  I don't do time outs (like - sit there for 3 minutes because you are 3!!!  I think that is dumb) but to tell a child to do their best to calm down and come to me when they are over it is totally fine, IMO.  Sometimes DS will say he 'can't stop crying' and needs help and I am THERE.  No issues.. I am happy to help.  But he needs to get ao a point where he is ready for me.  Before that there is no way to get to him, IME.

Overall though, was your DS tired or sick or hungry?  It sounds like how my DS acts when he feels 'off'.  

 

oparcm

Yep, 3 is like that!  My dd is almost 4 and is sweet as can be right now.  She's listening and pleasant.  When she first turned 3, not so much at all. We did a lot of limit setting/time outs and just stick to your guns.  It does get better as they get closer to 4.