To say three is worse than two?

[Sleeplesssleepseeker]

Before I start I should say that I love both my children and I am eternally grateful for them...

...but Hell's Fish in Batter! My 3 yo is hard work right now.

I look back with misty eyes at the (supposedly) "terrible" twos and wonder where my sweet little boy went. Yes there were some tantrums at that age but it's nothing compared to what three has brought along!

I often have days where genuinely struggle to enjoy spending time with him - the not listening to a WORD I say, the answering back (God help me for the teenage years!), the whining, the CONSTANT talking, the demands for things, the strops when he doesn't get his own way. Oh it's driving me potty!

I'm constantly wondering if I'm just a shit parent who is getting it all wrong, but from speaking to others it does sound like three is a tricky age generally. Why does no one tell you this though? There's so much talk of the terrible twos, and no mention of the horrible threes!

Although when he's on form he is a pleasure to be with, chatty, bright, funny... but the other side of the coin is very frustrating.

So AIBU to say that three is harder work than two?

Mine are 13 and 6, I swear every year is harder than the last!

@BlueEyedFloozy

Oh Jesus wept! Don't say that... I'm not sure I'm cut out for this gig.

The "threenager"... I've heard it's terrible. Not really looking forward to it too much! But I love a challenge...

I have found 3 much harder than 2 and at 4 she isn't getting much easier!

I've found 19 quite the shit storm.

And 4.

Word to the wise.

DD1 was fine at 2, awful at 3 (and 4).
DD2 was very hard work at 2 and since absolutely fine.

I have a lovely little 2 year old, I'm dreading the threenager stage!

For me three was the hardest by far with both my children. I think it was more my anxiety about them starting school than anything.

Yep, it’s awful and 4 not looking to be much better either.

I'm with you OP! The constant complaining is relentless. It's hard! I miss my lovely 2 year old sunshine.

My Ds1 was the terrible two / total threenager out of mine.. But he has been pretty much a dream teenager (aside from a healthy dose of sarcasm / eye rolling) and is now a nice young man at 17. I always joke he got all his tantrums out as a toddler!
So just to say there is definitely hope. Also, each age of course brings its own challenges, but I’ve certainly found it gets easier as they get older (and if nothing else you get to lie in on the weekend!)

My son is the gentlest, calmest boy ever and hew was like a monster from about 3.5-4. He's 4.5 now and a delight, but yeah, three is awful.

My other son is 2.5 and I'm dreading him turning three.

For me betweeen 2.5 and 3 was the hardest. I loved 3-4.

My two were quite easy 2yo and have got increasingly difficult. I think I'd prefer full on terrible 2s if it meant the rest was not so bad

Yep threenager is bad so is the fucking fours.Im on the fuck me fives atm

God yes! My daughter was brilliant at 2, chilled, could go anywhere with her, eat out happily, did whatever you asked. Turned 3 in August and the last 3 weeks she's been a nightmare, dream at nursery but at home, nope! Recently been away and she wouldn't sit nicely, the foot stamp, 'i don't want to' etc etc. Thank god for wine!!!!! Hope it's a quick phase

Jeeeezus my three year old was unbelievably hard work.

At four he was barely any better.

5 a bit less highly strung.

6 was better.

7 and he's gorgeously sweet and only stroppy if he's really hungry or knackered.

So basically wait four years and things will be better

I found age one the worst with both of my kids. They are all different I guess!

My step children were 1,3 and 5 when I was introduced into their lives... somedays really close... others actively at war in various combinations.

All 3 of my kids have been way harder at 3 than 2! The older two have been much easier since getting to primary school but my youngest is now at peak “threenager” so I feel your pain....

I found 0-1 the hardest closely followerd by 1-2. I absolutely loved all the primary school years. Secondary school years are easyninnlots of ways but there’s a lot of stress and hormones going on. The uni years and getting a job years are great.

easyninnlots Easy in lots

I love 3 but I used to teach pre-school! 3 and 4 year olds are great IMO.

I hated crawling to about 2 - the bit where they can move but have no sense or much understanding.

Potty training and talking in sentences make life much easier.

Completely agree but seven is even harder. All three of mine have been awful at seven, like mini teenagers.

Yep DS1 was haaaard work as a baby. Wonderful toddler, skipped the terrible 2s but it's doing a fabulous job as the threenager. Where do they get the classic foot stamp from anyway?? DH and I have had to put a blanket sweets/chocolate/ice cream ban on the house because the tantrums are too much (ice cream for breakfast, anyone?). It makes cupboard raiding very sad on our part. Also sometimes think it's just my shit parenting!