Anyone else have a three-nager?

[GinIsCalling]

My son tantrumed for an hour and a half today after I told him off for throwing a wooden block at the mirror. He wouldn't eat lunch, locked himself in his room, refused to talk to Grandma on skype and just kept opening the door to throw toys out and scream.
He never tantrums! And is always so happy. What has happened?? and how long does this go on for? I am newly pregnant (havent told him so doubt that is the cause) and I am finding it hard to cope.

I've got a five-ager (?) if that helps?

Probably doesn't, but for all the diva strops she has, there are many more happy moments in the day

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and my advice wpuld be to praise, praise, praise your little boy when he is/had done good; show disappointment or ignore poor behaviour.

Ans lots of presents and praise 'from the baby', too. That worked well for our dd1, who was 3.2yo when dd2 arrived

Ah, I remember it well; we didn't really understand what all the fuss was about with the terrible twos, and then DD turned three... that was definitely the most challenging year behaviour-wise so far! Epic tantrums, constant whingeing, you name it she did it. I'm pleased to say though it all got much better shortly before her fourth birthday. So hang in there and hopefully your DS will have got through this stage by the time the new baby arrives!

My ds had this at 3, few months on it has improved a lot though he still has his moments when tired or going through a change of some kind.

He is great with his baby sister (8 months) though, I've found it a good age gap despite it being a challenging time behaviour wise it is not directed at her and they are very cute together. She'll usually get the lovely apology I'm hanging out for!

It was a case of 'YOU are not my mummy!' To me and 'Here you are dear sister, share mine if you like' to dd.

My best advice is to try not to take it personally and let it affect you emotionally. I got tied up in knots with it at first. I ignored as much as possible, firm calm and consistent with everything else and it settled down a lot quicker.

Congratulations on pregnancy btw

Oh yes, I have two threenagers. They even sit slumped on the sofa staring at the TV sometimes like fifteen year olds (except for the thumb sucking I suppose).

Best tantrum of the day was DT2 having a massive screaming fit because DT1 and I are apparently not allowed to go out into the garden

Place marking to come back to this and answer!