3 year old is making everything such hard work!

[Darksideofthemoon19]

Dd turned 3 2 weeks ago, and around the same time turned into the devil.

She’s started spitting, smacking, attacking constantly if she doesn’t get her own way. She tells me I’m a mean mummy, that I’m disgusting etc! Everything from getting dressed, to going to bed is a fight. Today was her first full tantrum ina cafe and it was so embarrassing I wanted to cry. She smacked me 3 times because I cut her pancake wrong 😩😩

Help! She’s my 3rd (9 year ages gap between middle!) and she’s definitely the hardest and strong willed!

[MummyOfTwo92]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this.

DD three in June (my first) has been a little terror since her sister was born last year. It has got worse since we moved and she has left nursery. She's now starting a new nursery but it's only term time. I'm told she doesn't like me, I'm a horror, she hits and attempts to bite. I dread taking her out so last week introduced time out. It was working until today. I have so much stress on with things going wrong with our new house and workmen in and out (which she won't leave alone while they are here, telling them they are to noisy and they must stop). Constantly trying to hurt her sister or gets to excited and too rough. We haven't left the house much recently with work men all the time so I understand she's bored to some extent but I'm just at a lost end. Not sure what I can do to improve her behaviour?

[Confusedandworried321]

My DS turned into a monster just before 3 and it lasted on and off for months. He's now 3.7 and has been so much better since about 3.6 so I really hope we're coming out the other side!

Not much advice sorry, other than choose a punishment and stick to it (eg time outs). And sympathy.

[Darksideofthemoon19]

It must be a 3 thing!

She really needs to start potty training, the nappies are getting way too small and she’s complaining they are hurting. She knows when she’s weed and pooed. But can I get her to even look at the toilet seat or potty?! Can I feck! 😩😩

[MummyOfTwo92]

@Darksideofthemoon19 will she go straight to the toilet? My DD wouldn't entertain the potty until I gave her a "treat" for just sitting on it. Like 1 chocolate button.

[Confusedandworried321]

Ah I potty trained at 2.7. Glad I did to be honest as he was much more compliant then!

[ohsitdownnexttome]

Feel. Your. Pain.

Just turned 3 here too. Stubborn is an understatement. Not so much tantrums, but physical protests. I have even tried begging and niceties.

Wash your hands = lying on the floor with hands under body

Sit up for dinner = sits under table

Shoes on = sudden inability to stand or sit

Come here / Stop that = Too busy

Do you want a biscuit = no problem there, so it's a selective issue

[Darksideofthemoon19]

Omg yes! That’s exactly what she does. If I try and put her shoes on she flaps her legs fast so I can’t do it! 😩