Struggling with 3, will it pass?

[Notenjoying3]

DD turned 3 a week ago and has completely changed overnight, I am really struggling with it.

She's always been a good sleeper, sleeping 12 hours at night. Now she wakes crying out once or twice and is up for the day at 5am. She used to wake at 8. I don't suppose she suddenly needs 3 hours sleep less, so it's probably some sort of developmental regression?

But the worst part is her behaviour. She used to be so happy and easy going, now she is constantly moody and kicks off about everything. I have no idea how to deal with it. She used to wake up happy, singing softly in her bed, now I've been to see her and she has thrown her toys at me and is now hitting her bed saying "I'm hurting my hand". It's just horrible, what is going on?

sleep regression might be affecting her moods. It’s common at 3. Is she still napping? Most nap until 5, but mine stopped sooner.

She will get passed this, but 3 is a tricky age. It’s like having a teenager in the house!

Try changing her bedtime or nap times if you think it may help, otherwise I expect she will settle into a new routine soon enough.

Has she had any other big changes recently? Moved into her own bed or just finished potty training? Any change may affect sleep patterns.

Mine are monsters if they haven’t slept. It’s gruelling! Hope it gets better soon!

Everyone tells you about 'the terrible twos' and some DC are indeed hell on wheels at that age, but my two were both FAR worse at three and four. The good news is they're generally better by the age of about six

Thank you both, its really good to hear other experiences. I had heard the term "threenager" and it describes it pretty well.

She went back to sleep between 7 and 8 and actually was lovely when she woke up again so I think a lot of it may be due to lack of sleep indeed. I could have cried having my usual child back for a bit!

@Snorkello interesting you mention big changes, my DH reminded me this morning it has coincided with her being moved up to the group above at nursery. She's settled in very well but is in a bigger group with older kids and testing on us some of the behaviour she sees there I think. She now says a lot of new things like "go away" which she definitely hasn't heard from us. A lot of fake crying as well.

Fingers crossed it passes soon, we'll stay consistent and hope for the best

My dd was like this at just turned 3. She is a bit calmer now a few months on. Like living with a mini teenager in some respects! Tiredness was definitely a bit factor.

I really rate Janet Lansbury and how to talk so little kids will listen

Thank you @pantheon, how many months later? We are expecting our second so would love things to settle for a bit before chaos starts again!
Thanks for the book recommendation, definitely want to read up tp avoid improvising and getting it wrong!

@Notenjoying3 she's 3 and 3 months now. I'd say last couple of weeks things have calmed down a bit so hopefully the same for your dd! Some of the techniques in the books really helped, especially how to phrase certain things.