Is it normal for 3 yr olds to be very bossy

[MoggyMummy]

My DS was three in Septmenber and for the past few months he has turned into a dictator - sometimes I just can't bear it. It starts from the moment he wakes up! It is a constant - do this, do that - play with me, don't do this, I want this, I want that - I could go on and on.

I can cope with it quite well, when I am rested and not stressed, but today I just blew up - poor little thing - I shouted at him a couple of times! I feel really really awful. But I am knackered at the moment (I think I am coming down with something).

Someone tell me this is just a phase and they will grow out of it.

Dare I say it I'm thankful I work so I can get a break from it.

[aloha]

God yes. Totally normal, utterly wearing. It is a phase.
Motherinferior once hilariously likened her older dd to Margaret Thatcher (small, blonde, imperious, and very, very bossy). She a lovely little girl though, and I think, not nearly so bossy nowadays.

[Enid]

lol

I love bossy 3 year olds

[Bozza]

Yes, definitely.

[CountessDracula]

YES

Mine is too

We must get them together then they can boss each other while we relax

[northerner]

I have a three year old who is just like this too. I've heard that 4 is even worse

[MoggyMummy]

Don't say that Northerner - a phase that lasts years - arghhh.

I suppose I'll just get the earplugs out then.

[northerner]

I constantly get called naughty mummy, said in a hoight toighty little voice, and 'you didn't let me do it myself', repeat 150 times constantly and you get the gist.

[JakBat]

Yep, I've got one of those emerging (he's three next month).
Motherinferior, how long does this Margaret Thatcher phase last?

[motherinferior]

It seems to have died down (she turned four in February). Sadly, her sister (three next June) is storming up behind.

[edgetop]

my ds is almost 5 he as always been bossy, he started school in september now he thinks he is a teacher,the other day i asked my dh something & ds told me i was rude to talk when he was talking.

[mandrake]

I divert the bossiness by making sure there is always a younger child around to be bossed. am not prepared personally to be bossed around by a 3 year old but young sisters and cousins are a good idea - and count it an honour to be bossed around endlessly. find a friend with a 2 year old perhaps to take the strain off you?

[Marina]

Like MI's dd2, I have a 2 year old Apprentice Bossyboots doing her NVQ in foot stamping and finger wagging. Dit DOWN, mummy! Bad girl!

[lovecloud]

my dd is 2.5 and her bossiness has been getting on my nerves lately, she walks around with her arms crossed waving her index finger. i constantly tell her it is not nice to boss people around and ask people nicely...

hope its a phase too

[bobbybob]

Think of all the clear direct commands you gave your ds for 3 years. You are now getting them all back with interest.

I actually like it when ds issues long and increasingly complicated demands as long as they are ridiculous.

"mummy stand on that carpet and put your hands on your head and sing old mcdonald and wiggle and, and, and..."

The I retort with

"take off one shoe, and jump up and down and sing twinkle twinkle and clap your hands...."

Eventually we both collapse to the floor laughing. So if he's being bossy, I'm bossy back, but with nonsense things and we both end up laughing.

BUT he's only 2.5 so the game could wear a little thin.

[MoggyMummy]

Thanks everone - If anything your posts have had me in stitches and I am actually smiling about the whole thing now. Can't wait to go and pick up DS from Nursery .

CD - you are on - your DD can be Maggie Thatcher and DS can be Naomi Campbell.

[CountessDracula]

(actually I call her Adolf )

[twinsetandpearls]

My dd is very bossy, infact every three year old I have come across is bossy especially with their mothers and even more so if they are very literate and confident.

I am taking some hope from motherinferior that this dies down at 4 as dd was four a few weeks ago.

But as Enid says they are very funny with it.

[Carlk]

EEk is it ging to get worse
DD demanded pear for breakfast this morning

PEAR... PEAR...
PEAR.... PLEASE....
Ate that then demanded
MORE.. MORE...
PEAR...
MORE... PEAR... PLEASE

To be honest DW was so pleased at her stringing words together she didnt even baulk when the second pear was refused