WDYT 2 vs 3?

megann831 · January 2013

I mentioned the other day to a coworker that I had heard 2 was worse than 3. She seemed surprised, she had never heard that and prefers 3 to 2. She thought maybe if you don't discipline your child when they're 2 they may be worse when they're 3. It makes sense to me, WDYT?

rider5344 · January 2013

megann831:
I mentioned the other day to a coworker that I had heard 2 was worse than 3. She seemed surprised, she had never heard that and prefers 3 to 2. She thought maybe if you don't discipline your child when they're 2 they may be worse when they're 3. It makes sense to me, WDYT?

I personally found 3 to be much worse than 2 and I disciplined my child. I think the difference is that at 2 there is a whole lot of "no" at 3 there is just a whole lot of attitude.

TiffanyBerry · January 2013

I think it depends on your kid and your own personality. My neighbor found 3 worse than 2, a lot due to attitude. There is more whining and willful misbehavior as we approach 3 versus just playfully doing the wrong thing over and over, so I am finding this stage a bit more annoying. But that's because I hate the whining far more than I hate discipline light switch use fifteen times in a row.

MrsWindyCity · January 2013

DS isn't quite 3 yet, but I can tell you the last few months have been infinitely worse than the previous 6ish months, so my vote goes for 3. And he is disciplined, so, yeah.

countrymice06 · January 2013

Honestly, I do agree with you a bit, but there are so many factors it would be hard to make a generalizaton.

I also think it has to do with the parent's preference and what you have more patience for. For example, I think that 2 is a million times better than 1, and I know lots of people who would disagree with that.

Angela814 · January 2013

rider5344:
megann831:
I mentioned the other day to a coworker that I had heard 2 was worse than 3.  She seemed surprised, she had never heard that and prefers 3 to 2.  She thought maybe if you don't discipline your child when they're 2 they may be worse when they're 3.  It makes sense to me, WDYT?
I personally found 3 to be much worse than 2 and I disciplined my child.  I think the difference is that at 2 there is a whole lot of "no" at 3 there is just a whole lot of attitude.

Yes. It has absolutely nothing to do with how you disciplined in the past. 3 is just a lot of continuously testing limits.

kcisthebombdotcom · January 2013

There was a period starting around 2y9m three that was just the toughest thus far. Nothing to do with discipline--just DS was moody and emotional and defiant. He's been ok for the past 2 months or so--but I think 2-2 3/4 was pretty easy.

Most of my mom friends with older kids report 3 being tougher than 2.

memali26 · January 2013

The majority of my friends with kids say 3 is worse than 2. DD1 will be 3 next month, and as we get closer to three I do find it to be getting a little more challenging, or at least a whole new type of challenging. She is more verbal and therefore able to be sassier , she is also starting to figure out how to be sneaky and pushing bigger limits than before. I think that is all just due to the stage they are at developmentally as they start figuring out the world in more complex ways.

12bailey18 · January 2013

All of my friends tell me that 3 is way worse than 2 but I think it's because I always tell them that 2 was a breeze with DS. I think it just depends on the child, their personalities, and how the parents discipline. DS was 'easy' at 2 but DD has given us a run for our money and she's not even 2 yet. I'm scared! LOL.

MoreThanABride · January 2013

My 2 year old is well behaved most of the time so I expect it will get worse. I have heard 3 is worse.

dragon_chica · January 2013

3 is way worse for us. At 2, DD was almost an angel with a couple hiccups here and there. But the moment she turned 3 all heck broke loose. Everything is an end all be all. Not only is she still at that age where she struggles with her feelings and how to deal with it but now she can talk more and argue so much more. I definitely loved the 2's way better.

I think the 3s are going to be tough, no matter what, but just a lot more magnified than the 2s. I do think how you handle situations when they were in the 2s can help set the tone for how things may go in their 3s. Therefore, if you are a parent that lets your 2 y/o run the show they may be even worse at 3 because now they're comprehending even more what they can and can't get away with.

ashley21nicole · January 2013

I agree with the "attitude"! My 3 year old has crazy attitude...2 yrs old was a breeze...but 3 yrs has been a temper tantrum every hour (somedays). I just try and not lose my cool since that's what she seems to want me to do.

That and lots and lots of wine.

Stephanie2167 · January 2013

I've heard 3 is worse then 2. DD is only 2 1/2 and I can already see the attitude. If I say "don't do that" she says "you don't do that." Argh!

dragon_chica · January 2013

Stephanie2167:
I've heard 3 is worse then 2. DD is only 2 1/2 and I can already see the attitude. If I say "don't do that" she says "you don't do that." Argh!

LOL, that's exactly what DD says! "Ok, time to get out of the bathtub." "No, YOU get out of the bathtub!"

mittensonkittens · January 2013

It probably depends on the kid and the parents. With my oldest, 3 was way harder than 2. 2 was all about tantrums, which we learned to ignore, and they would end and all would be good. 3 was all about testing limits and power struggles. It took a lot more energy and patience to deal with that.

anvloveskme · January 2013

MoreThanABride:
My 2 year old is well behaved most of the time so I expect it will get worse. I have heard 3 is worse.

this

dande2129 · January 2013

MrsWindyCity:
DS isn't quite 3 yet, but I can tell you the last few months have been infinitely worse than the previous 6ish months, so my vote goes for 3. And he is disciplined, so, yeah.

I second this.

I was all geared up for the "terrible 2s".... No one mentioned I should have waited to feel like I got lucky.

dande2129 · January 2013

dragon_chica:
Stephanie2167:
I've heard 3 is worse then 2. DD is only 2 1/2 and I can already see the attitude. If I say "don't do that" she says "you don't do that." Argh!
LOL, that's exactly what DD says! "Ok, time to get out of the bathtub." "No, YOU get out of the bathtub!"

Both of these made me literally laugh-out-loud. It's not daughter specific! DS does the same thing.

"Stop it!" "No, YOU stop it!"

dragon_chica · January 2013

dande2129:
dragon_chica:
Stephanie2167:
I've heard 3 is worse then 2. DD is only 2 1/2 and I can already see the attitude. If I say "don't do that" she says "you don't do that." Argh!
LOL, that's exactly what DD says! "Ok, time to get out of the bathtub." "No, YOU get out of the bathtub!"
Both of these made me literally laugh-out-loud. It's not daughter specific! DS does the same thing.

"Stop it!" "No, YOU stop it!"

Do you find yourself having an irrational argument with him?

"I'M not in the bathtub, YOU are. So you need to get out of the tub."

"No, YOU need to get out of the tub!"

I. Want. To. Rip. My. Hair. OUT!

mbgreenwalt · January 2013

DD1 is almost 3 and the last month has been trying. She has always been a very easygoing kid, but I want to scream into a pillow at least once a day now. I discipline BTW.

The following describes DD1 in the last month:

and

https://jasongood.net/365/2012/12/46-reasons-why-my-three-year-old-might-be-freaking-out/

honeybee111 · January 2013

DD has only been 3 for a week, but it's already worse than 2. DD is usually really easy, well-behaved kid - of course, we go through tantrum phases, but it's pretty bad now. I can tell she can reason more and she's more verbal, so instead of just hopping in bed, she'll try to negotiate: "One more story?" "Play 5 minutes?" Of course, I say no which = tantrum. And I feel like her tantrums are more manipulative if that makes sense - like instead of having a tantrum because she's frustrated or can't talk, she's now having them to try to get something. Yesterday's fit involved slamming her bedroom door, and throwing her pillows on the floor. She got over it pretty quick, and must have exhausted herself, because she rolled right over and fell asleep, but yeah, definitely a difference from her last tantrum phase about 6 months ago.

Soap1 · January 2013

I hear so many people say 3 is worse than 2 and so far I don't see it at all. DS1 is no picnic, but he was WAY worse at 2 than he is at 3. And DS2 is AWFUL. Like, way way worse to deal with than DS1 is. I sincerely hope DS2 doesn't get worse than this at 3 years old!

I really think every kid is different. And I also think that sometimes you forget how bad 2 was when you're dealing with your attitude 3 year old.

BrittKav · January 2013

3 is worse. My daughter at age 2 was "disciplined", and actually really well behaved. The past month, she's suddenly become extremely impulsive, irrational, antagonistic. She throws temper tantrums and during them says "I'm trying to stop but I can't! I didn't want to scream today but my body won't stop!" It's like she's full of hormones that she can't control. It's very trying.

Want a personalized experience?

WDYT 2 vs 3?

Re: WDYT 2 vs 3?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards