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Behaviour/development

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3yo emotional outbursts

10 replies

littleraysofsunshine · 08/01/2014 16:55

Recent weeks have seen a new kind of behaviour. There's the mini meltdowns but recently it's been a possessed banshee with rude comments and outbursts. Over the smallest thing.

I have noticed that the Christmas period caused change in routine, and then this behaviour.

Today dd1 (3y2m) kicked off when her friend was round and she wanted a top like her. - we didn't have one. So she melted down, inconsolable, hitting out (a rare thing) I the. Took her upstairs to try calm her which didn't work. She then called me a"stupid git" and hit out at me. So I then let her just try to calm on her own. I went upstairs to find she had emptied all my clothes and washing all over my bedroom. -never done anything like this. And still inconsolable. For abut 30mins.

She has a younger sister (19m) and I'm due with dc3 in 2.5weeks but this has never been an issue. It's just seemin like she's testing a lot, also telling fibs, and lashin out since Christmas? Where it's been later nights and daddy at home etc.

Daddy is back at work, but she's use to that at he works anyway. Tiredness is a HUGe factor. She doesn't nap and hasn't done since about 2yo. But ten she just won't give in until 8/830pm which is too late considering she is only 3 and also starting morning nursery soon everyday

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FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 17:04

No advice.Sad
I have 4dc. My 3rd turned 3 just before christmas and is acting exactly the same!!
Everything you have said seems spot on. The only noticeable difference is my dd seems to be sleeping more and needing a nap. She starts nursery next week. I foresee the outbursts becoming worse before they improve.Blush

FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 19:28

Anybody with experience?

littleraysofsunshine · 09/01/2014 07:48

She went to a preschool once a week. But starting every morning next week too so may want a nap. She dropped her nap ages ago, and lately has been waking at 6:45/7 and going to sleep at like 8? Last night was better at 7:15.

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Getupanna · 09/01/2014 19:19

Hi,

My son turned 3 at the end of November and since Christmas I have experienced some pretty testing behviour. He flatly refuses to comply with our bedtime routine despite reasonable notice that it's going to happen (the biggest issues seem to be getting undressed for bath time and cleaning his teeth). It comes in bursts, and between times he's generally great. I did some reading up on it and apparently challenging behaviour at this age is a healthy stage of development. It's just very tiresome. I'm tackling it by giving warnings, then carrying out the warning straight away (at the moment all his fire engines have been confiscated and he's just been put to bed without a story). Annoyingly, these things don't seem to be phasing him just yet but I'm hoping that he'll soon get as bored with it all as I am, and we can return to our happier selves. Don't get demoralised-difficult stages always feel like they'll never end, but they always do. Good luck!

notnowbernard · 09/01/2014 19:33

3 yr olds are a nightmare IME

Don't underestimate the pg, though - she's older now and can probably pick up that there are changes on the horizon

Kiwiinkits · 09/01/2014 19:44

No advice really except to say that I think this is fairly normal 3-year old behaviour. My 3 year old DD is going through EXACTLY the same thing at the moment. Post-Christmas behaviour. DH and I are trying to form a strategy about how to deal with her screaming and getting over-upset at minor infractions. But haven't found any magic bullets yet. I think it's just an adjustment to go from having a lot of quality time with mummy and daddy and nanna and pop over Christmas to having us all back at work and back to not seeing us as much. I sympathise with her in a way.

Natalie82B · 09/01/2014 20:00

My daughter is 3 on Saturday and is the same. Every time I tell her no or ask her to do something she doesn't want to she will scream and throw herself on the floor screaming no. She had her trial session at nursery today and even did it then when they wanted her sit down and she didn't want to. I was so embarrassed. Really hoping nursery might help.

Coveredinweetabix · 10/01/2014 22:25

Sounds very standard. It's just a more sophisticated version of a toddler tantrum. When DD started, I just made sure I was firm & consistent with the ground rules so hitting me, pushing me or shouting at me (I don't tend to shout so wasn't being inconsistent in banning this) were immediate time outs as was her stamping her foot. I also learned it was much more likely to happen when tired, hungry or thirsty. And I got better at spotting the lead up signs so would try and pre-empt it by giving her a snack as that not only meant so immediate strop but also less chance of one happening later.

Kiwiinkits · 15/01/2014 00:08

We did a 'no screaming' sticker chart and it really worked! She starts to moan and grizzle and we say 'remember, no screaming and crying' and she instantly clicks back into being nice.

Magic.

littleraysofsunshine · 16/01/2014 06:37

Now all this week she's got a new wake up call of anywhere from 5:45-6:30. Plus been waking up walking into our room twice a night when she usually sleeps like a log! At least until 7am!

She still won't nap, fourth day of preschool and the tiredness but she'll keep going! Until she'll have a few days of just being sad

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