Does something happen just after 3 that turns your child into a demon

[Artharp]

My dd is 3 years 2 months and the last couple weeks she has been hell. There is no other way to describe it.

screaming, stropping, throwing things, so emotional, so grumpy, not listening at all, so hyper, I could go on.

she’s never been perfectly behaved she has her moments like any toddler but nothing I would ever be concerned about but omg I am absolutely exhausted with her this is another level, if she can’t do something (eg I didn’t have the right rice cakes she wanted earlier) she’s is screaming stomping her feet crying it’s just so intense.

I know she’s only little and has a lot going on in her brain but how do I gentle tell her she cannot behave like this.

everyone says this is such a lovely age at it is but the bad seems to be outweighing the good right now and I just look forward to bedtime everyday

Sympathies, OP.

Yes, read Dr Laura Markham and Bonnie Harris and make friends with people with other ‘spirited’ children !

We didn’t have the terrible twos but there were a few months ages 3 that were hell. It’s a development thing

God yes, my 3 year old is so completely unreasonable at the moment. He was lovely as a 2 year old and I felt so happy that he was not having big tantrums. Then 3 hit.

Yesterday he had a tantrum because his ice lolly was too cold and because he was cold because he did not want to wear any clothes. I am really looking forward to this phase being over.

DD didn't go through the terrible 2s so I was completely taken aback when she turned 3 and her behaviour turned to shit. It's hard but I think at 3.5yo it's much better. Keep firm boundaries, pick your battles, extra cuddles and reassurance that you love her and have a coping strategy in place so you know how to respond instead of react. Solidarity OP, it's a brutal age!

Yes my 3.5 yo is going through it right now. He argues over everything, wants everything his way, and I’m ashamed to say we’ve had screaming matches recently. Afterwards he’ll usually try to kick me in the shin, storm off, and then 2 mins later he’s all cuddly again.

Have your 3 year olds started nursery recently ?
It can be exhausting for them because they aren't used to expelling so much energy, so many activities and social interactions, all new emotions, etc.

It can also be quite confusing learning a new routine, both in and out of the home. Plus, if the nursery setting has a different routine and approach to behaviour, then it can upset everything in the home. It's a lot for tiny brains !
All my family members had issues similar to this when their DC started regularly being out of the home for nursery/longer child care.

Thanks all for the replies it’s good to see I’m not alone and she’s not suddenly broken😅

she goes to playschool 3 mornings a week but has been going since September 2022 so nothing new there and she absolutely loves it if I could I’d send her all day just for the break lol!

she just seems to have so so much energy and no idea what to do with it. I hope it calms
down a little before the summer weeks holidays or it’s going to be a very long couple months