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Behaviour/development

Testing, testing, my nearly 3 year old is testing me!

9 replies

Daffodilly · 21/10/2009 22:25

Title says it all really. DD is 2.11 and just being very trying at the moment.

I say no to something, she'll make sure I am watching and then do it again with greater enthusiasm. I ask her to do a simple task (put shoes on to go out) and then repeat about 20 times before it gets done (if I am lucky) or I do it (if we are in a rush). I could go on. She barters on everything - "I'll eat 3 bites of dinner and then I'm done" and this is before I've even started cooking it!

I guess it is just about testing boundaries - but it is driving me mad. Is this normal? Any advice?

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notnowbernard · 21/10/2009 22:31

NOrmal (in my house anyway)

DD2 is 3.2 and has been having a 'difficult' phase for the last 2m or so

She's not particularly 'naughty'. She's pretty good at listening, actually. She has a lovely, sunny disposition most of the time and is absolutely gorgeous. But, my God, her tantrums are legendary atm. She reduced me to tears one day last week. Was Not Good

Am waiting for it to pass...

IME 3yr olds are WAY harder than 2yr olds

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luciemule · 21/10/2009 22:33

DS2 (4) still does this now - not trying to depress you for the next year and half!
It's all about power and they think they make the rules.
I just keep trying the supernanny tips such as "it would really help mummy if you could put on your shoes" and at tea time, I try and guess which colour food he'll eat next etc. He reacts well to this sometimes but often not so it's all a bit of a learning curve really and trying to find out what they will react to in a positive way.
Preschool really made most difference - he had to learn that it wasn't all about him and they gave them boundaries but also responsibilty.
My DS came out with "when Daddy's at work, I make the rules" last week! "oh no you don't" I said to which he replied "oh yes I do" and so it went on until a full blown tantrum followed. I reckon girls are far easier than boys at repsonding to toddler taming though. My DD was never like this!

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kid · 21/10/2009 22:36

DS went through this when he was almost 3. He is still going through it now and is 7.6
With him, the reasons just change. He challanges everything I tell him and can be so stroppy/moody. I find telling him what to do and then continueing what I am doing works best. So if I want him to put his shoes on to go out, I tell him and then pick up my things and move to the street door. He is usually a few steps behind me, but he is quite a bit older than your DC.

I have watched Kevin the teenager (on his 13th birthday) and I swear that is DS.

It does get easier I am told. When they are in their 20s and move out.

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notnowbernard · 21/10/2009 22:39

Also have the wonder of the DC that INSISTS on doing everything herself, no matter how long it takes

Bless 'em

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kid · 21/10/2009 22:40

luciemule my DD was nothing like DS either. She has had around 3 tantrums in total and she is almost 11. Pretty good going I think!

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Daffodilly · 22/10/2009 08:52

Oh joy - looks like I have plenty more of this to come then. At least all normal!

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luciemule · 22/10/2009 10:22

Kid having said that, DD, now nearly 8, is turning into a teenager already! She's tells me "if you think I'm wearing those trousers for school, you're wrong"...........that kind of thing every morning and I think girls are terrible for getting ready on their own. If I leave her to get on with getting ready for school, it'd never happnen! At the toddler stage though, she was fab.