Oh lordy, 2.10yr old has started on 'it's not fair'. Please tell me this isn't it until age 18.

[lukewarmcupoftea]

Title says it all really. Dd1 being v hard work at the moment, won't get out of bed in the morning, massive strops all day when things don't go her way (she even hit me in the face today), accompanied by whining 'it's not fair'.

Please tell me it's a phase and this isn't it until her teenage years are finished. Please. Otherwise I might just have to crawl into a hole and hide for the next 16 years.

Also, just letting off steam here, but why do I get all the cr*p, and dh gets the glory? Been dealing with her all day, managed to get her nicely wound down for bed, all calm and cuddly. Dh walks in for the last 5 mins, and gets 'i love you daddy, you the neatest daddy in the world' and massive hugs. Nothing for me as I'm the big bad mummy who has to deal with the reality of her behaviour all day.

Oh bollocks, I'm getting the wine out.

Yes, they learn young! On the plus side, it's wine o'clock

lifes not fair get over it

they understand that even at almost three yers old.

things dont always go your way princess and you would be a very unlikable child if they did. now toodle off and play whilst i drink a coffee and read the celeb section

It's not just a phase. It goes on FOREVER. Eventually you'll flip and shout "Well, LIFE'S not fair" and strop out of the room .

Zero tolerance for the really bad stuff, pick your battles for the rest or you'll lose your mind. If she pulls the "Not fair" line, just say "Oh well, never mind, now get out of bed" in a breezy sort of way.

And yes, the parent who's not there through all the crap always gets the glory - now that really isn't fair.

Hassled, I don't know about eventually - already today I've said 'well lifes not fair' about 3 times, and various other combinations of 'tough', 'that's just life I'm afraid' etc. I think I have fairly low patience levels.

If it's not a phase, then I'm blardy glad I have a glass of wine next to me, sob.

Just seen I typed 'neatest daddy' in the op. She's not American, just trying to type 'bestest' with blooming iPhone autocorrect. Darn, it's not fair.

I've never said "life's not fair" in reply. Used to hate that as a child. Instead I go into a long drawn-out argument about how it's all so unfair on me. They lose interest about 5 minutes in generally.

My 3.3 yr old has started with 'nobody loves me' wailed in a 'feel very sorry for myself' voice. No idea where he got it from but irrationally breaks my heart!!!

Uptoapoint - nice technique, bore them into submission. Like it, will definitely try it!

Diggingintheribs - sorry, but that made me laugh out loud! Sounds much worse. But at least you've put a smile back on my face (that and the wine)

good!

they know how to find your weak spot and really twist the knife.

He has progressed to this from 'I don't love you Mummy, but I love Daddy'. I would just reply 'well I still love you' but this did seem to wind him up!!

Nice, really what you want to hear at the end of a hard day of being their skivvy! I suppose that at least at this age you know they don't mean it (hopefully), whereas teenagers are a bit less forgiving I imagine. Where on earth do they get the idea for these phrases though, not cbeebies I know that!

I'm with you (and my DS is only 2.3 so I guess I've got to endure an extra few months of it!!) Yesterday's occurrence was because I had put his trains back int he box, not left them out in the middle fo the floor overnight (and yes I know he should have tidied them himself, and regularly does - it was a battle too far that day!!)

Can be bloody hard work, but after having him pale and lethargic for 6 weeks (with an undiagnosed UTI), I'm currently really happy to have my noisy, slightly mad, obstreporous(sp?) toddler back ,at least for today!!

We're with you and totally get your frustration (and need for wine!)

they're smart - you can't trust them! Turn your back for 2 seconds and their plotting how to get the house off you!!

Can't wait for the teenage years!

We're getting a big sigh from DS2 (3.4) at the moment, followed by a "Guh sake mum" at the moment. Can't think where he's picked that up from. Still, it makes a nice change from the nearly 13 year old's slightly more fruity language.