Is this the Terrible Two's?

[somewhatavoidant]

Hoping for advice here; My usually easy going ds (3 next month) is all of a sudden being well, bratty. He has discovered climbing out of his cot (was perhaps in denial that was bound to happen at some stage) But its more the disobedience & throwing things around, not even in temper just bratty (Maybe Ive been lucky so far) Also really hard to get to bed the last few nights and still awake at 10, normally in bed at 9 and sleeps till 8. Missed his nap Saturday and was totally hyper till 10.30 rather than being knackered as he should have been. Does any of this ring bells with anyone? Is it a good plan to be fairly tough on them getting out of bed from the start, does it work to keep them in bed I wonder? Thanks!

My 3yo gets hyper if she misses her nap too; you'd think they'd be exhausted but I think over-tiredness makes them a bit crazy and then it's harder to get them to sleep at night, rather than easier! And yes to the disobedience too, definitely noticed that more since she turned 3. I think it's normal for their age; they're pushing boundaries and developing independence. Being consistent seems to help, and lots of praise for good behaviour.

Definitely keep them in bed!
Be tough and mean it. You will regret it later otherwise I would think.
9 seems quite late for a bedtime for his age.
My DD is 2.9 and is in bed by 7.30.
All my friends have a similar bedtime.
He could be very over tired.
They all go thru a bratty stage. Set some ground rules and stick to them.
Throwing = consequence of your choice, consistently applied. Etc...

Yes. My DD missed the terrible twos but definitely had the terrible threes. I have blocked a lot of it out (except I can't forget the long, long sessions of her screaming...)

That crazy hyper thing was so odd, I couldn't understand what the hell was going on, glad he's not alone in that earnest dullard!
He sleeps 11 hours seemingly whatever time he's in bed at (9-8 suits our routine) but over the last few nights he's getting later & later. I'm going to drag him out of the bed now at 8.30 & try to re-establish a better routine. Smartie pants79 what time does your dd sleep till & does she have a nap?
Read a good article about positive parenting so ill make more of an effort to praise good behaviour. Interestingly I took my young dog to training class at the weekend and the premise is exactly the same. The trainer suggesting rewarding the dog for lying quietly on the floor. Maybe ill bring ds along to the next class

Oh yes the hyper-tired thing..DS has always been a nightmare napper and was like this from birth. he might seem to other people that he's not tired (he's 2.3) and doesn't need a nap but trust me if he's not in bed (well cot, I'm dreading the day he learns to climb out) between about 1 & 1.30 for a nap all Hell breaks lose. it might be worth trying a bedtime about 15 mins earlier for a few nights and then if it doesn't impact his wake time try moving it back a little more? he sounds overtired to me but whether it was a one off or an accumulation..who knows? Isn't being bratty and defiant normal? I'm more surprised he's got to 3 without being bratty but perhaps I've just got a lively one

I've just been introduced to the concept of schemas so I'm no longer seeing the throwing things as defiant or destructive behaviour..more a curiosity/urge as a way of learning. this website explains it better than I could

Honestly? I'm that he's still in a cot and still having naps!

Might sound a bit harsh (and sorry if it does) but maybe he's acting like a baby because you're treating him like one.

I would put him in a bed, let him choose the covers, make a big deal about the fact that he's a big boy now and let him rise to the occasion :)

She sleeps til at least 7/7.30 sometimes longer.
She has just stopped napping very recently. Seems to cope ok at the moment.
I was also a little surprised he is still in a cot!
A move to a bed may be in order.
My immediate thought is he is too tired and needs an earlier bedtime.

Thanks for replies ladies. According to Jo Frost's confident toddler care it's not time to move to a bed until they are too big in the cot! He's in a cot bed so ill be taking the side off soon. The last few days have been much better and I have started bedtime half an hour earlier which is working better so you were right, he was tired! Also read an article about positive parenting and praising specific good behaviour and that seems to work well too, thanks MN!