Spending time with your child at age 3, compared to age 2

[Stopitwiththefireworks]

How did you find spending time with your child at age 3, compared to age 2?

I have a 2 year old, love her to the end of the earth but I do find the meltdowns and fact I can’t take my eyes of her for 1 minute exhausting and I live in constant fear of her hurting herself as her favourite thing to do is tear around the house at the speed of light banging and crashing into everything and anything!

Now I know all stages will have challenges, I’m not totally naive.

But did you find age 3, 4 any easier??

Kids have challenges at every age, and it depends on which challenges you find easier to work with

I prefer them once they are 4 and over. They are more rational and you can talk them round in a way you can’t with the younger ones.

Beware, three might get harder in the tantrum stakes. My youngest is a stubborn fire cracker and we are coming to the end of the three’s, and I can see how she’s changing and beginning to understand why she can’t have things her own way.

My older two have their challenges but I can deal with them so much better because they can be properly reasoned with.

It has begun to feel like I’m guiding them rather than having total responsibility for them (age 6 and 8), which feels so much better.

They can dress themselves, make simple breakfasts, operate the tv. They can play independently for ages and I mostly have my hands free.

My days are full of negotiation and trying to balance everyone’s needs and wants. For me, treating them like their opinions matter(even if they can’t get their own way) and not just telling them what to do all the time, has been the way towards a more harmonious family.

Although my house is still loud! I seem to have the loudest children