Treacherous Threes. I need a support group.

flyingsaucer · June 2014

DD is giving us hell. She was the most mild mannered, easy going baby and toddler. (Especially compared to my 2 wild boys... DS and SS). She didn't even have any terrible two's, sans the occasional "I can do it myself" moment. But now. Now that she is 3... OMG. One minute she is her sweet self, then out of no where, BoOM, she flips and is totally irrational. She also often will TRY to insist that she is "in charge" in our house. Unless this girl gets a job and starts paying some bills, she needs a reality check :-). Someone say this will end soon!!

taggiecb · June 2014

I am here for the support. I am pulling my hair out most days, and when we go out in public, or to my parents or something, it's all "please" and "sorry" and hugs and kisses. He's a sneaky one. No one believes how much of a tyrant he is at home.

fancynewbeesly · June 2014

laceyjean1 said:

I am here for the support. I am pulling my hair out most days, and when we go out in public, or to my parents or something, it's all "please" and "sorry" and hugs and kisses. He's a sneaky one. No one believes how much of a tyrant he is at home.

This is DD to a T. The doctors and nurses LOVE her. She is so well manned with other adults, but can completely be evil at home.

chardonnay24 · June 2014

No advice, just commiseration. I'm convinced that my child is evil.

taggiecb · June 2014

fredalina said:

I don't know if this will help but in my experience so far the worst of the age lasts about 6 months. Really 4 is worst and starts improving and is to a tolerable level after 6 months. Three was worse than 4 but 4 wasn't awesome exactly. She turned 5 today and today was a good day. Actually she's been pretty great since we went to get her after a week at her grandparents', and she is usually worst after a week with grandparents so this is great. Of course we also promised to take her to the concert with us Friday if she was nice when we got there. And it's her birthday today so she's just happy. Still, I am choosing to believe this is the start of a more mature and happy era .

I have never seen any of my children totally lose control and freak out as much as DS1 did when he was 4. I think the difference is that you can actually converse with them a little more. When he got upset, and threw a tantrum at least he would have a semi decent reason, and I knew what that reason was.

Karbird5 · June 2014

I felt like four has been worse than three for whining and tantrums. But I just wanted to say Happy birthday Char!

Mei&Mei · June 2014

Mine was also laid back, easy going and chill -never a temper tantrum- until he turned three. It escalated from there and at 4 we had a ridiculous amount of the whining, demanding, rudeness, and tantrumming, interspersed with the tiniest snippets of the sweetest boy you ever saw. To make sure we didn't completely lose hope I guess?

Anyway, he's just arrived at 5 and the times of sweetness and thoughtfulness are finally just starting to outlast the tyrant-ing. There is a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel, that he may actually turn into a normal, rational human being again one day.

So, yeah. I vote that it's a phase and there just isn't much you can do except try to provide a rational, calm balance to her craziness and attempt not to lose your shit. (Easier said than done, I know). Oh, and drink. Drink ALL the drink,

algalphys · June 2014

I used to think DS1 was such an ass because he was frustrated over not being able to communicate with us due to an expressive language delay, so from 2 on he's been a nightmare. His speech us getting much better but it's taken a little longer for his behaviour to change. Some days are better than others but I certainly dint enjoy being screamed at!

Spin313 · June 2014

Tantrumy Threes + Freak-Out Fours...good luck, they aren't fun.

LBib · June 2014

DS is trying to change his reality with words and is upset that it is not happening. I get the new agey "put into the universe what you want to receive" but seriously kid saying "it's Wednesday" "there is cheese" "it is winter" and "it is the right time" isn't going to make it so. I sign the membership card.

nikiz628 · June 2014

I will also join your support group. Three is effing awful. Usually DS would have his good days and bad days. But I swear, the last month has been a constant battle every single day. I am so exhausted and I don't even know what to do at this point. He fights us on everything. Bath time. Bed time. Getting dressed. Eating. None of which was ever an issue before. And I think the thing I love the most (insert HEAVY sarcasm) is his random tantrums out of no where. One minute, fine. Next minute. Devil possession.

LTMama · June 2014

Joining your support group too! I've been meaning to post to ask for help with how to deal with DD lately, but I'm thinking more and more that it's just a phase, and what everyone is saying here is reinforcing that. She started throwing terrible twos tantrums a little before she turned two, but they had mostly stopped by 2.5, or just didn't last long.

She turned 3 in April and good God she's been nuts. Her tantrums can last last for an hour or two, and nothing chills her out. I admit that I'm less patient in dealing with them bcs I'm pregnant and uncomfortable, but sometimes they're seriously epic. A few weeks ago she threw a huge one at the mall. Public humiliation for me... and I can't just pick her up and stuff her in the car to go home anymore, she's too heavy. Just when I need some better behavior, she's getting worse.

studyinpink · June 2014

I seriously am praying that e is like yours. Since she turned 2.5, every minute has been a battle. It's been 2 months of awful with a day every other week of her being our sweet baby girl.

I hope 2.5-3 is the worst. She reduces me to tears often. She is so strong willed.

@CTGirl30‌

EVA116 · June 2014

Yeah we called DD the hulk. She is super nice and sweet and hilarious and then oh.my.god. she flips a switch.

LnR70707 · June 2014

The terrible 3s started about 3 months ago for us (turned 3 yesterday). Back talk and whining isn't so bad, but the hitting/pushing/spitting/anything he isn't supposed to do is just ridiculous. You never know what might set off a screaming fit. Oh, and the fights to change his diaper are fun too, but zero interest in potty training. Trying anyway because we told him 3yr olds wear big boy underwear. We are 2.5 hrs in and on pair #3.

studyinpink · June 2014

Yeah, e is hitting, spitting when we get on to her. It sucks

jorkz821 · June 2014

I'll join this support group! She did ok for 2, then she turned 3 and... Yeah.... It's not great some days.

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