3year old ds misbehaving

[babyrose]

Only recently has our ds started misbehaving, things like kicking, hitting I don't know if it's boardem or just generally being bad and has to be asked several times to stop doing what he's doing.

We have moved house (end of June) and started nursery just a few wks ago.

Has anyone else found this at this age?

Hi babyrose

It's extremely common for very young children to go through phases like this, my two year old ds does the same thing...hits, scratches, kicks out, usually when he's tired or doesn't get his own way.

I give a warning when he does it, and if he carries on, he gets a two min time out. What i try to do after the warning though is distract him, because sometimes he just does it again immediately just to push the boundaries I think!

Hi roz,

I'm finding it happening more in the afternoon after nursery he gets back quite exhausted has his lunch then it all starts.

We never really had terrible twos it's seems to be more when he turned 3. We try talk to him and get let him think about what he's done most of the time he comes back and says sorry but then just carries on with something else!

Your last post has your answer. He's tired! It's hard for him to control himself when he's like that. With ds (3) I tell him when he's tired and treat him gently ie no point going down the road of telling him off when he's exhausted. I try and get him resting eg sittin down to read or watch the tv for a bit then get outside to blow off steam.

We do have a chilled afternoon watching tv and if we are sitting next to him he starts kicking and throwing thing's maybe letting off steam as you say.

My ds has started nursery and is similar. Saw the hv as he also been refusing to poo.

She said it is totally normal to misbehave and get overly upset after a change like starting nursery. She said it is because they are on their best behaviour at nursery, trying to obey all new rules, make friends etc and then just want to let it alll out at home. Think how exhausted you are after first few days at a new job!

Mine has also picked up loads of bugs, which makes him extra tired and grumpy.

It's a phase, you just have to ride it out, extra affection but keep to the usual boundaries.

Sounds like it must be nursery catching up with him, maybe a distraction in the afternoon may help.