Threenagers

[PetitFilou1]

Ds is well and truly in this stage - saying no to everything all the time. It is getting pretty tiring - can someone suggest strategies to deal with it? And what is it with putting his clothes on in the morning? I end up doing 'do your pants go on your head?' type thing which usually works as the humour distracts him from being a pain but it is still a struggle. Suggestions welcome.......

Oh, a threenager thread, glory be! Haven't had one of these for a while. Where do I start...?

Has to do everything himself (badly, makes a big mess).
Nags, whines.
If I say "leave it alone now!" -- he's touching it again within 3 seconds.
Changes his mind every 5 seconds about what he wants to eat. Especially after he sees what the others are having. The compost bin gets most what I make for him initially.
Insists on wearing shorts, then complains it's too cold when we're walking half up the road.
Can wrench open fridge lock, cupboard locks...
Memory of a gnat when it comes to things I want him to do different, memory of an elephant when it comes to broken toys I am trying to throw away.
Generally ignores tv so electronic babysitter no help.
Deliberately irritates older siblings.
Has to win any wrestling match, won't stop until he does.
Time-outs have no effect on any of this behaviour the next day.

At least when he was, say 13 months, he couldn't reach the knives to try to cut up his own apples.

~Sorry, that doesn't help you with the "No" thing, does it? Refer to what I said above about "memory of a gnat" when it comes to improving behaviour the next day.

Does this include:
Saying "you put the toothpaste on the brush tonight mummy" then having a major tantrum when I do because she wanted to do it?
Ditto warming milk?
Ditto switching off the TV at bedtime?
Ditto selecting knickers/socks/outer garments?
Does it include "do it yourself" when you say its tidy-up time?
If so, I think I've got one.

Yes the 'no you do it' really gets on my nerves but it is the kicking and running away when I'm trying to put his clothes on (yet he won't/can't do it himself either - that drives me insane). At least he doesn't actually mind what he wears unlike 2 year old dd who already says 'I like dat pretty top. Don't like dis one'

Oh, I have one of these creatures too.

"Mummy, if you don't buy me any ice cream, I'll be very angry and I won't play with you any more"

Folds

PF - enjoy the fact that he doesn't mind what he wears.
I had to go away on business just before DD was 2, & DH made the fatal mistake of saying do you want this top or that one.
Now I can't even guess the right colour knickers in the mornings, though I have to admit she's reasonably good at getting dressed herself, esp if its turned into a race "see if you can get dressed before daddy is out of the bathroom" usually works a treat.

Itwasntme - I wouldn't like the angry bit but could cope with DD refusing to play with me any more. I'm in the middle of a good book at the moment and any chance to get out of playing mummies & babies to snatch a quick read would be welcome!