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?

DD was a difficult baby (clingy, reflux, terrible sleeper) and a very challenging todder but for us, everything got easier when she turned 3. 0-2 was incredibly hard but since 3 she's been a dream and is still a dream at 6.

DS is only 1yo and although he was an easy newborn he's been a nightmare since he became mobile. He was walking (and climbing) before his first birthday, is very stubborn, super-mischievous and into everything. I can't turn my back for a second. I have a feeling the toddler/preschool years are going to be challenging.

Three year olds are monsters. Although I definitely found mine sorted himself out a bit more after 3.5. He’s nearly 4 now and definitely much easier than this time a year ago.