3 year old behaviour since baby arrived.

[Letsbekindplease]

Hi.
at my wits end with my child and their behaviour since baby arrives almost 3 months ago

he has went from being an absolute angel to constantly being on the naughty step for hitting and throwing things.

I don’t know what to do anymore. He told me this morning he doesn’t love me and loves daddy more. (Since came up to tell me he loves me but it has really hurt me. )

he has had so many changes on his life recently. New baby, more days at nursery and also in a new nursery room. Also had Illness after illness which hasn’t helped.

I find it hard to play with him as much as I used too but I am trying. I bring baby beside us and avoid using her as an excuse when I can’t play any more.

has anyone had any similar experiences? And any advice.

when he hits we give him a chance to stop but he continues to hit. (Not usually for any reason). Then it’s the naughty step. I’ve found myself hitting his hand back if he hits me which doesn’t resolve anything. It just encourages him to do it more. When he shouts and screams I find myself shouting “don’t shout at me” which again, what is that solving. .!?! (I’m working on my patience) .

he has had so many changes on his life recently. New baby, more days at nursery and also in a new nursery room.

Well, this is the crux of the issue.

His whole world has been turned upside down by the arrival of his sibling, when he’s suddenly realised he’s no longer the sole focus of his parents’ attention. But rather than that being the only change, he probably feels even more pushed out by spending more time at nursery and having the familiarity of his new room to contend with too. The poor thing.

Personally, I wouldn’t have increased his nursery hours until the dust has had more time to settle. And I’d suggest really making a point of handing baby over to dad when he’s around so you can spend one on one time with DS.

You really do need to work on the patience thing too. Hitting and shouting at a 3 year old are really not acceptable and, if you’ve never behaved like this before, you’re also creating an association in his young brain with this being the baby’s “fault”.