Today I don't like my son

[grouchyoscar]

Sorry if in the wrong place but it seemed to fit

Today...well since yesterday I have begun to dislike my son (3.5). He is constantly ignoring what I say, not being reasonable, causing havoc, whinging and fussing. He wants one think, I provide ity but no, he wants something else.

I'm trying so hard to do the 'positive parent bit but it's exhausting and tbh, you need a positive reponse for it to work but I don't get that, just more beligerence. I feel like I'm totally failing as a parent. Everything I try to do is simply not good enough.

Today I don't like him, I don't want to be near him and I don't want to spensd more energy getting nowhere.

What the hell do I do? I'm at my wits end. I am scared I am going to cause him severe develo;pmental problems

[KathyMCMLXXII]

You sound very normal, Grouchyoscar. And your son sounds like a normal 3 year old.
If you still don't like him after a few weeks, you might want to worry, but for now it just sounds like you're both having a bad day.
You're not failing as a parent!!!!

[usandnosleep]

{{hugs}}
Sounds quite normal I think everyone has a bad few days every now and then.
Don't give him too much choice, "it's this or that" and that's it if he doesn't like it then he can go without.
The more you try and please him or find what he wants the worse he will be.
Can you get out of the house? Go and visit someone? Children are often different when other people are around! Go to the park and get lots of fresh air, if he doesn't want to play fine just have a walk.
Don't be too hard on yourself x

[grannycrackers]

when i feel like this about mine i try and get someone to take them out for a while.
or, have you asked him if he's feeling ok? when mine are starting an illness they are a pita. or how about reconnecting to when he was a baby - give him a big cuddle and look at his baby pics with him, pointing out what a big boy he is now

[chocolatekimmy]

You do like your son, you love him very much I should think

Its his behaviour you don't like but its sometimes difficult to differentiate (I know, I've been there).

You won't cause him severe developmental problems, try not to be so hard on yourself though. Can you get a break for a few hours, have you got anyone that can have him for a while so you can do something for yourself?

Can you get out to a park so he can run around and use up some energy or go for a walk, or let him play in the garden. Wrap him up well if its raining there, he won't mind

[notsoladyjess]

i SO know how you feel. i have been feeling a bit like this for a while with my ds1. then i found out he was coming down with chicken pox and it explained quite a lot of the whingeing.
he is nearly 3 and half and used to be so easy going and now he is just so fussy, moany, horrible to his freinds, won't share anything, etc.
i am trying to stay calm but all i want to do is tell him not to be so horrible and mean to everyone!
no advice, just empathy. i hear it does get better.
i have felt like you - that i am gong to ruin him for life and that i am doing a crap job.

[grouchyoscar]

Thanks all for the support and tips. Ithey have made me feel much more positive.

A friend came round with her 3 today and her DS is the same as mine, cept 12 mths older, so I don't feel so alone now.

Still not sure if DS and I are friends but ... I have tried to chat about it but he just ignores ,,huge fed up sigh>>

Thanks again

[Jbck]

Grouchyoscar I so sympathise right now, my DD is being an absolute *itch, fill in the letter you'd prefer . Hope things get better for you.