bad day, bad week - me and my toddler at loggerheads

[endofmytether]

I don't know why, but have changed nickname for this because I feel terrible for feeling like I can't cope and I am dreading ds1 waking up tomorrow.

He is driving me to the edge of my reason. My reward chart has become meaningless. My bottomless pit of patience is empty. He can be such a lovely boy, but where has that lovely boy gone.

Somebody, anybody please tell me that your 3 year old (in 3 weeks) has also driven you crackers, left you crying in front of Questiontime because you know it's all going to start again in a few hours time.

endofmymytether

I did have days like that even though must as dd approaches 3 (in 2 weeks and a bit) they are getting rarer, but I have ended up in tears the moment I put her to bed, wondering why me why does she have to be like this...sorry no advice just lots and lots of sympathy.....

One thing that helped with her (but might not help with others) is that whenevr I cried in front of her and explained that I did not mean to shout but she was behaving too badly and I couldn't help it, and then I told her I really love her and I don't like to be cross with her, she seemed to be affected by it...now everytime I get angry she will then ask me if I'm still cross with her, if I'm happy, and that's enough to make me forget all her tantrums.

This was never a tactic, it just happened that I cried in front of her and she seems to care enough now to try and not make me cross occasionally. she is v. happy when she's had agood day and I tell her she's been a good girl and I'm v proud of her, and it will the first thing she says to her dad next morning.

But it might just be with growing up and learning and have nothing to do with me whatsoever....so no solution really, just ahng on, the little monster will eventually transform in a less challenging child (don't believe in angels), just takes time...

lots of luck

He is still there - honest. Just trying to assert his indepenence (sp).
Could you try a truce and only tell him off or say no when it's really important? As he's feeling grown up (?), maybe give him jobs to do like setting table etc? This worked during a recent traumatic time with my dd (now 3.5).
It's amazing isn't it how they can be gorgeous one week and truly horrible the next.

Thanks so much for your messages. I'm going to dry my eyes, go to bed and get some much needed sleep. Just another perspective provides a lot of comfort.