3 year olds

[sowhatusernameisnttaken]

My ds has just turned 3 and I'm wondering what I can expect this year?!
We've come through the 2's ok but what are 3 year olds generally like?!

[MrsPussinBoots]

3 is for Threenager. Think of everything you'd expect from a teenager: mood swings, crying at nothing, door slamming, I hate you, I love you, don't want to do anything with anyone, nothing is ever right.

Also, my favourite age so far (DD is 3.5). We can have proper conversations and do proper activities like baking. Self-discipline is coming and ballet/gym classes are wonderful now that she joins in. 3 is great.

[MrsPussinBoots]

Also we had no problems at 2 so I was very unprepared for the tantrums. Wow that was a shock.

[mummy2pickle]

My dd was 3 last month and we had an easy time at 2yrs but it seems from her 3rd birthday she turned into this devil! Trying to get control over us, hates the word no, screams, slaps, angry and wants to do everything herself her way. Sorry about there scare but as you can probably tell we are having a hard time at moment with her and was definitely not prepared for this behavior!

[DarkFloodRises]

Mine became much easier after turning three.

[stopmoaningpip]

Mine has always been energetic but generally quite docile in terms of following instructions. Now he's 3 he seems to have a real drive to push the boundaries and thinks it's hilarious to do naughty things. It's really hard to know what to do about it as he also thinks it's hilarious when I try to tell him off.
However it is nice seeing his imagination and ideas develop when he's playing - that's in the 30 seconds when he isn't demanding my attention and actually plays with something by himself.
He's fine at nursery and preschool so don't think he has an actual problem, but I am struggling a bit at home.

[stopmoaningpip]

I will give you a flavour of our usual first thing in the morning 'conversation' for the last few weeks:
'Would you like weetabix or porridge for breakfast?' (he definitely likes both and eats them regularly).
'Errr'
Then endless procrastinating and dithering.
'Ok you haven't decided I'll make you weetabix'.
'Waaaah I want poorriiiiiidge!!!!!'
Then either I stick to my guns and make weetabix while he screams the house down as if the world has ended, or we carry on in circles:
'Ok you can have porridge'
Waits until I get the porridge out:
'Not want porridge, want WEETABIX Waaah!!'

Can you tell it's getting a bit tedious...

[BellyBean]

Dd was big on physical tantrums at 2, at 3 she's much more argumentative and vocally demanding.

Decide now that once you've stated a course of action, you won't waver should help.