What is normal 3 year old behavior?

LovinTim912

Anyone have a webpage or something that I can show to DH?  

He keeps saying that crying, not wanting to clean up toys, etc. is NOT normal for a 3-year-old and I say it is.  I need something to show him. 

aglenn

Yeah...3 year olds are crazy!  I think this is a good article about brain development in that age group.

https://www.parenting.com/article/toddler-temper-tantrums

artmamasays

You didn't mention anything that I would consider out of the norm. I don't have any links for you but I am on kid #3 and will say from experience: while two year olds are all about learning how to control themselves, three year olds are all about learning how to control you.

LovinTim912

Perfect.  Thank you!!!

Like I said, I feel that he isn't doing anything out of the norm.  I think his behavior is normal for his age, but DH says I am a pushover and let him get away with murder.  AM I a pushover?  Yea, a little.  But yelling doesn't encourage him to do anything except get more upset and overwhelmed.  If it takes him an hour to clean up his toys before bed, it takes an hour.  Who cares!  And if he leaves a few cars behind in his sister's room, who cares!!  Right??  I want him to have a happy childhood... not one filled with us yelling at him for nonsense!!! 

aglenn:

Yeah...3 year olds are crazy!  I think this is a good article about brain development in that age group.

https://www.parenting.com/article/toddler-temper-tantrums

kcisthebombdotcom

LovinTim912:

Perfect.  Thank you!!!

Like I said, I feel that he isn't doing anything out of the norm.  I think his behavior is normal for his age, but DH says I am a pushover and let him get away with murder.  AM I a pushover?  Yea, a little.  But yelling doesn't encourage him to do anything except get more upset and overwhelmed.  If it takes him an hour to clean up his toys before bed, it takes an hour.  Who cares!  And if he leaves a few cars behind in his sister's room, who cares!!  Right??  I want him to have a happy childhood... not one filled with us yelling at him for nonsense!!! 

aglenn:

Yeah...3 year olds are crazy!  I think this is a good article about brain development in that age group.

https://www.parenting.com/article/toddler-temper-tantrums

If you have issues with him cleaning up, make it fun. The "clean up" song is really great to motivate toddlers to pick up their messes. Another idea--make it a race to see who can pick up the most toys the fastest and help him. Also, you should make him clean up the toy he was playing with prior to moving onto another toy. It will help keep control of the mess.

meg1974

It sounds like you and your DH have different discipline styles, which is common. I've seen some charts that list various styles and authors who write about each style. Maybe you could find something like that and discover what each of your styles is, and then talk about what you could do to find common ground (knowing that both of you are going to have to compromise, and you may have to give up a few things as well). 

I know it's tough b/c I'm going through it as well. But, I've found that if I bend a little he is more willing to listen to me. I have certain convictions that I won't move on (like spanking), but in other areas I am a little flexible. 

GL!