Those with kids 3 or over

AmberLiz99 · July 2014

Please tell me that it's normal for a normally sweet, gental, obedient, thoughtful kid to turn into a screaming, disobedient monster around the age of 3? Also please tell me that this is a phase that will pass quickly.

My boy is driving me crazy and not listening, which is very unlike him. I feel like I'm going crazy, and it's making my pp anxiety even worse I think. Any experience? Advice? Is my kid the only terror?

Trimby2409 · July 2014

My 5 year old has become defiant, not listening, and generally speaking rude. I blame it on the big life change we all experienced when DS arrived. It has improved. Your angel will return as well, until the next phase !!! Hang in there !!

fourthnlast · July 2014

Totally normal. 3's are WAAAY worse than 2's. We called it the holy fuck 3's in our house. Not looking forward to it again.

mbethmcgill · July 2014

My 3 year old is currently throwing a fit while I nurse. Somehow he can't get down from his chair that he gets down from after every meal. Fits galore in this house. Not fun.

Dayzie14 · July 2014

Agreed. 3's were worse than the "terrible 2's" in our house. 4 is hit and miss. Sometimes he's a mess and sometimes he is great! I think he is now getting to the stage where he wants to be a "big boy" (independent, etc.) But still has his moments of still wanting to be a baby. Tricky tricky...

Laroo0220 · July 2014

3 was awful for sure. It will pass. I'm sure part is the change as well. Even my 5 yr old is driving me crazy. I feel guilty bc most of the time I feel like I'm yelling at him.

MamaFantastic · July 2014

kiddo's birthday is in april, and we found he went through two VERY hard phases.... the winter before he turned 3 and the winter before he turned 4. the first winter he was a HORRIBLE sleeper and he kept waking up and screaming all night long. he was a monster during the day too, due largely to his (and our) perpetual sleep deprivation. this past winter, he went through a phase where he'd go from 0 to 10 in the crazy rage department. he would start screaming and yelling out of nowhere and be a general beast. this is the winter he punched a hole in his bedroom wall by slamming the door so hard against the sheetrock. looooovely.

in fact, just a few days ago i turned to my husband and said "when was the last time kiddo had a total emotional meltdown where we had to drag him screaming to his room?" and we agreed it had been 2 or 3 months. PROGRESS!!!!!

now, at 4 1/4, he is a generally super happy, flexible, sweet boy. he wakes up happy, uses his words to tell us what he wants, calms down with some verbal coaxing and empathetic coaching, and is a kind and generous helper. i love it. i earned it!!!!

fourthnlast · July 2014

Once my older kids hit 4.5(ish) things greatly improved! Thankfully the sleep was never an issue, but the mouthiness and tantrums were horrendous.

thomas930 · July 2014

3s were tough, 4s were a bit easier but by 4.5 she was taking the wrong turn again. She has become very defiant again and sassy. She drove me insane today because she was basically ignoring everything she was told. Her energy is through the roof and she can't sit still for one second. I'm exhausted from it all.

Twirple · July 2014

DS turned 3 in April and it is definitely a challenge. I am actually looking forward to going back to work next week because I think I'll be able to handle him better if I'm not with him all day every day. Maybe this should be my FFFC.

pleasantsarg · July 2014

I've noticed DS behaves badly when he feels bad. That said, I've been using '1,2,3 magic' on him and it works really well.
All you do is think of a consequence (ie, no tv for the day). Then if he starts misbehaving you say, 'ok, you are at a 1; if you get to a 3 you will have no tv today'.
Then he decides and you don't have to have drama.