Very angry 3 year old what do I do?

[smellycat2]

My 3 year old daughter is a beautiful intelligent child who is generally very happy. But from nowhere she turns into the devil child. She screaches at me to shut up, tells me to go away, leave her alone, screams, shouts is totally uncontrolable. She has always been ok but this is driving me insane. She has busy days and is always kept occupied has friends, goes to nursery and play groups. Is it just a phase? the naughty step always works ok but when she goes totally over the top nothing works - any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Have you tried something like shutting her in her room until she "calms down"?

You can come out when you are calm? That sort of thing?

Sympathy because my ds has suddenly become much harder work as he approaches three. Over the past six weeks he's turned into a teenager - stroppy, sulky, hissy fits. Luckily in between he's still lovely but it does drive me mad!

Just a thought, do you think her days could be a bit too busy? Does she have enough time just to relax and not do very much at all? Children need time just to be, and do their own thing, as well as activities.

Good point edam

We have just cancelled a class because dd wasn't getting enough time to do nothing

an important habit to cultivate

having some calm days where you do nothing is v. important

I agree, being 'busy' could be the cause.

I have an angelic dd, who too can become the devil and it is definitely noticeable on the days that i work and have to ferry her back and forth to places. On the days, where its just me and her we have wonderful times.

My biggest prob at the moment is trying to get her to cooperate in the mornings when i'm working. She insists on being left alone to wash and dress - but then won't actually do either and so i'm hopping in the doorway desperate to help her, trying to bite my tongue so we don't have a full blown row which would then mean no chance of getting out of the house!

you could be right we are hardly ever home until 5pm when she wants to play with her little friends but of course it is tea time, and then bath and bed.

Definately worth trying being at home more often especially in the good weather. I have always kept her busy as when she was smaller she needed it. She is also an only child as I cant have anymore and I am very conscious of making her mix and play with children.

We will try and see if it helps - thank you all