Three Is Harder Than Two

sschwege · July 2014

When DD was two that's what all the mothers were telling me, "Three is harder than two!" I have found that to be true, I think 3 1/2 was the hardest age so far, like I want to pull my hair out hard. I've heard people say, 'three is two but with intent.' which sums it up nicely I think.

Things have been calmer recently and it got me thinking, nobody has prepared for fours. Is it easier than the threes, do things start to get better? I know every age has its challenges, but what do I have in store?

sschwege · July 2014

mamaalysson said:

DD just turned 4, and though she still has her moments, it is sooooo much better than even a few months ago. Three was just awful. I like that description of having "intent". Four (at least so far) seems a little more reasonable. Like she still has meltdowns, but they are more explainable - she's tired or hungry or dealing with something else. She's also easier to talk to afterwards, and I really see her using the strategies we've worked on for when she gets frustrated or mad. Hang in there! There's light at the end of three!! :-)

I've just started to notice a decrease in the intensity of the meltdowns and she seems to calm much quicker. The other day she was melting down and then all of a sudden just stopped. She came and told me her little brother had given her a hug. I feel like 6 months ago a hug wouldn't have done anything and more than likely would have made it worse.

SallyAnneS · July 2014

I agree three so far has been awful. He wants to be independent but isn't capable of being as independent as he wants. And i can't do ANYTHING right. Every single thing i did yesterday from pouring his cereal to playing trains to how i was pushing him on the swing was wrong in his opinion. Ugh.

ariel06 · July 2014

I thought I would lose my mind when DS1 was 3, he improved at 4 and 5, but still is a very intense kids. DS2 was a breeze at 3. He has some moments now at 4, but they're short lived.

raraavis28 · July 2014

Kimbus22 said:
shutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutp

nananananaicanthearyounananananana

Seriously! We're not even in the 2s yet .....you guys are freaking me out!!

pevila · July 2014

I've chosen not to acknowledge this post.

dizzycooks · July 2014

Backing out and pretending I wasn't here. (And maybe a smudge grateful dd will be In daycare for most of 3....)

penguingrrl · July 2014

The early part of 4 was the worst we have dealt with with both girls. The tantrums, even from our otherwise docile eldest, were horrific. I referred to them as the fucking fours. But by 4.5 it was like I had a new child both times. They were suddenly better able to communicate thoughts, desires, feelings, etc and with that we were able to stem the tantrums because we had better communication to discuss what would otherwise have ended in a tantrum.

vlagrl29 · July 2014

3 is SOOO much worse than 2 and I thought 2 was bad. Terrible 2s started for us at 18 months. I honestly can't wait until 4

Angela814 · July 2014

I absolutely hate the 4s.

DD1 was tough from about 2.5-3.5 and then from 4.5-5. The 4s were all about testing limits over and over again while trying to manipulate things her way. 5-7 was pretty good.Then we hit 7.5 and started getting the worst attitude followed by insanely intense tantrums.

DD2 has been so easy going compared to her big sister. She was a super easy 2 and 3 year old. She was great until a couple months before 4. Now she randomly hits and kicks, throws fits, won't attempt anything by herself, etc.

DD3 has been difficult since birth. Before she could crawl, she would bang her head on the floor when she got upset. She's better now that she's walking (running), but she's super intense. I anticipate her being a challenging toddler.