are 3 year olds very difficult?

[kosh]

my LO will be 3 in January and the last couple of days he's been a right pain! he's very hyper and shouts all the time, he's just difficult and says NO to everything and started the whole 'I don't want mummy, I want daddy'. I can tell it's a developmental change. is this a (long) phase, will I ever get my sweet little boy back?

 

[RaspberryK]

Yes they are and I have no idea xx

 

[KatieB]

Honestly, it comes and goes with the "threenager" phase - well for me, anyway. I have had some terrible times with Louis' behaviour since about 3 but he is so much more entertaining now and has really changed developmentally after every horrendous episode! He is currently being lovely again, but very Jekyll and Hyde!

 

[Mangos]

OMG yes when my DD was 3yrs old I also found her personality starting to come out and the opinions/resistance growing.

I found that if I ignored the negative behavior then it was not reinforced. Sometimes even when we get angry and shou they think that attention is good...

For example if my did starting crying and throwing a tantrum I would ignore her. Eventually she would come over to me and I'd say "I can't understand you when you act like that, that's not good behavior. But if you want to talk to me nicely I can listen"... And believe me these kids understand more then we give them credit for.

OMG takes A LOT of patience and time to break the habit but it does not stay that way forever.

 

[kosh]

omg - I'd forgotten about the term 'threenager'...!

 

[KatieB]

https://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Vasseur1/Autumn%202014/778AF9C7-F0B5-42AB-8095-D8529DC774DA_zpslrn6yf44.jpg

Threenager on an average day... Oh the dramatic way he threw himself on the sofa

 

[sequeena]

They are little buggers. Mine is horrendous at the minute.

 

[kosh]

https://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Vasseur1/Autumn%202014/778AF9C7-F0B5-42AB-8095-D8529DC774DA_zpslrn6yf44.jpg

Threenager on an average day... Oh the dramatic way he threw himself on the sofa

looks familiar!!

 

[kosh]

I found that if I ignored the negative behavior then it was not reinforced. Sometimes even when we get angry and shout they think that attention is good...

OMG takes A LOT of patience and time to break the habit but it does not stay that way forever.

^^ that's a good point that I should remember, I find myself getting very annoyed and shouting too much

 

[seoj]

I think the more difficult time was the inbetween- big 2 going on 3yrs. As with every stage my LO learns and develops and changes how she see's and understands the world- so, I too, have to learn to change along with her. So for me, each new stage there is an adjustment period. Then, once we are both on the same page (for the most part- as we know it's not possible ALL the time lol)- then it get's easier and easier. Right now, I find my LO pretty darn easy. She has her moments - don't ge me wrong. But I've found several techniques that help diffuse situation before they escalate into much more. And she's also that kid that tends to move past things fairly quickly (although she always has).

IDK- I don't think anyone can say one age is better or worse. It all varies on the kid/parent... my one friend did not like 2yrs much and loved 3... while another loved 2 and struggles so much more with 3... and now 4 is lovely. So yeah- guess that is no help really. But you got this!

Not sure if this might help- but I LOVE most of what this author says and it kinda goes along with my own take on things. I always try to understand why my LO is acting out- and what I can say to make her feel heard and allow those feeling out- so we can quickly move on. That's my take on it anyway and what has worked really well for my LO (and me)- but obviously it varies and you just need to find what works best for you both

https://www.janetlansbury.com/category/parenting/behavior/discipline-behavior-parenting/

 

[lovelylaura]

The start of age 3 was awful but as time is going on its settling down. She is so sweet though age 3 is wonderful because they truly become their own person.

 

[minties]

3 was the worst age with Thomas for sure. It does come with some cool stuff too though. 3 year olds are quite clever and funny.

 

[leoniebabey]

yes, but not as difficult as 4 year olds! eg. mine who is dead set on sending me grey!