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Original poster

I think there should be a bloody support group for parents of 3 year olds

481 replies

Limelight · 04/04/2011 20:11

It's like DS woke up a couple of months ago as a completely different person.

'Trying' incidents today:

  1. Complete refusal to even consider wearing any clothes. I mean, would genuinely have been very happy if I'd agreed to send him to pre-school in the buff.

  2. Running out into the road.

  3. Massive screaming kicking throwing things level tantrum because I'd dared suggest we go out with his friends to a club he normally loves. Because the children are naughty and it's all soggy. Apparently. Needless to say we didn't go because by the time he'd calmed down it was too late. So he had another massive tantrum because he couldn't go.

  4. Massive sulk because a kid he didn't know decided to play on the wrong slide. Apparently.

  5. Complete refusal to eat the dinner he helped me make because it had (completely imaginary) green bits in it. I wouldn't mind except it's normally one of his favourites.

Now admittedly he's very recently had chicken pox and is still a little irritable but when I think about it, he's been like this for a few months. I also have a 10wo DD which isn't helping. He loves her but is not hugely happy with DH and I for changing his life.

Totally exhausted. Going for a bath and a lie down.

OP posts:
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Cattleprod · 04/04/2011 20:15

Now I'm scared - DS turns 3 at the end of the month. I thought it was supposed to be the terrible ^twos - I was feeling quite relieved that I'd got off quite lightly!

bitzermaloney · 04/04/2011 20:20

When ds1 was three he used to have a tantrum every breakfast, lunch and dinner time, because when he started eating it the food got smaller. I don't mean a few sniffles, I mean a full-on screaming fit. He barely ate anything for weeks, then it gradually petered out.

At the same time he hated getting any part of him wet or dirty (more tantrums).

Ds2 arrived the week before ds1 turned three, and although it was starting before then, that's when it got REALLY bad.

(He's 4.5 now, and a lot better Grin)

CrapBag · 04/04/2011 20:38

Oh god! Yes!!!!

DS is 3 and we are having some 'trying' issues as well. I also have a 8 week old DD but he does adore her so thats a good thing. Its the attitude that gets me!

Caz10 · 04/04/2011 20:43

If you start can I join?!

Sigh...am too weary to even post the details!

littlemisslozza · 04/04/2011 20:44

Sorry Cattleprod but in my experience it's more 'terrible threes' than 'terrible twos'! I too thought I had got off quite lightly....

I have a friend with the most amazingly placid little boy who is now 5 who has hardly ever tantrumed but she had quite a shock when her DS2 more than made up for it!

DuplicitousBitch · 04/04/2011 20:46

support group!!!! arf. it does get easier

LoveBeingKnockedUp · 04/04/2011 20:49

Bitz you have made me laugh so much.

Dd who is three (just) has done the following in the last few days; cried because when she put all the ice cream in her mouth she had none left, crying to get out of her room
(whilst I ironed in mine) and then jumped into bed s d cried when I tried to take her downstairs, cried cause she wanted to brush her teeth I wasn't goi g to make her as she was sooo tired a d then givi g me the toothbrush back as she is too tired, tried to bite me bacause I td her she didn't need a straw for the enosed cup she was drinking from!

cookielove · 04/04/2011 20:50

I have no children of my own, (work in a nursery) but your day reminded me of a 2 year old in my care. So you can see it happens to the professionals to.

  • tantrum cause he didn't want snack
  • tantrum cause he missed snack
  • tantrum cause he wanted his comfort toy

gave said comfort toy

  • tantrum cause he wanted toy put away

all children went in the garden attached to room.

He stood by the other door, cried off and on, we tried to engage him, he was having none of it, but was calm mostly, was looking at the garden but wouldn't come out

We called them all in, cue massive tantrum he wants to go in the garden, hanging off the handles screaming 'garden now' try to calm him down and say later, begin to strip off clothes for lunch, he wants to do it himself, great, by the time he is undressed he is smiling and happy to listen to the story.

LoveBeingKnockedUp · 04/04/2011 20:51

Oh yeah and crying cause she's got yogurt/food on her

Again · 04/04/2011 20:55

So happy to read this!

TheSecondComing · 04/04/2011 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WMDinthekitchen · 04/04/2011 21:02

My DD would scream the place down every time I stopped at a red traffic light. We live in a congested city...

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 04/04/2011 21:10

cookielove Do you work at my DS1 nursery? It sound just like him Hmm

I got talking to the Pharmacist today who said she had two boys 4 and 6 and I actually asked her 'it does get better - doesn't it?' I was buying Barocca at the time so I think she knew I wasn't joking!

doormat · 04/04/2011 21:15

thatwould be...lol no it doesnt get any easier...my eldest is 26 and my youngest is 10 and they still all have tantrumsGrin

cookielove · 04/04/2011 21:16

Well you never know Smile

oooh tantrums are so fun Grin

Kleftico · 04/04/2011 21:18

Ah the joys! DD 3 in 20 days. So far today we have had crying because she wanted to ride her bike to DS school, then cried because she didn't want to ride it back. Cried because I picked a dandelion for her on the way home and she really wanted a daffodil (daisy in her world). She cried because she got yogurt on her top, the dog and hair on her spoon. Stamped her feet because we had to go and pick DS up from school, cried because she couldn't play out with DS. Cried because she couldn't sleep in the same bed as DS. Yelled "no! I no like BEDTIME ARGGGGGHHHHHHH!". and we'll do it all again tomorrow. My life is one big negotiation.

Original poster
Limelight · 04/04/2011 21:20

Hurrah! I haven't produced a fledgling Gordon Ramsay then! Consider this support thread opened then...

My name is Limelight and my 3 year old has gone MAD!

OP posts:
toddlerwrangler · 04/04/2011 21:20

No no no no NO. It gets easier at three. EASIER I tell you.

[sits in corner shaking at the thought of it going downhill from todays episodes at 23 months]

Chaotica · 04/04/2011 21:21

You're actually making my 3 year old DS sound quite reasonable. (Which he really isn't.) But I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow needing to vent.

thefirstMrsDeVere · 04/04/2011 21:21

My three year old has recently turned menkle. Proper full on menkle.

He is my fourth child (of five), I should have been prepared, I have another one who will also turn menkle in two years.

What have I done?

Chaotica · 04/04/2011 21:22

Actually there were incidents - I just block them out.

NessyBay · 04/04/2011 21:22

3 is so much worse than 2 ime!

3.5yr old DS is a 'mare at the mo Grin.

Esp bad whilst on the school run and doing the food shop. Grrrrr!

lucykate · 04/04/2011 21:23

this might cheer you up

BeakerTheMuppetMuppet · 04/04/2011 21:24

DD (4 in june, if she's lucky) today refused to eat her dinner as she was 'far to busy'

then threw a massive hissy fit as i'd let it go cold Hmm

NessyBay · 04/04/2011 21:25

oh god, the going cold thing is another one in our house!!