Not having a very good time of it with my recently turned 3 year old DS. He’s always had the odd quite bad tantrum but the last few weeks they seem to be getting worse and lasting longer. He’s just had an epic one trying to get him to nursery. Normally he’s happy as anything to go. But today decided he didn’t want to. I managed to get him in the car but he screamed the whole way. Had to force him out the car when we got there, barely managed to carry him through the door, with him kicking and screaming. Honestly I don’t feel like I’m describing very well how bad it was! Luckily his key worker somehow managed to get him through his class door and apparently he’s calmed down since I got home but it was truly awful.
I had another one on Saturday where we were supposed to be going to my parents house as we always do. DS again decided he didn’t want to. Both me and my husband tried and failed to get him in the car (we’d been at the playground in the morning). He rolls around on the wet floor of the car park with us wrestling him trying to pick him up and get him in his seat. He’s so strong (and strong willed) I really struggle to even hold him properly. Anyway this tantrum lasted a good couple of hours. I managed to get him in his car seat eventually ( I really didn’t want to give in and not go, as I didn’t want him to think he can do this every Saturday!) he fell asleep on the way, then carried on screaming when we arrived. Wouldn’t go in the house etc etc. He did calm down eventually (probably after about another 2 hours) but again, it was so hard! He then had a great time playing and didn’t want to go home 🙄
I know the best thing to do is ignore, keep consistent and not give in. I just feel like the worst mum in the world when it’s happening. Especially when I’m trying to carry him/force him in to the car or pram and feel like I’m hurting him by being so forceful! (I’m not hurting him just feels that way). It’s awful when he’s scrambling around on the floor as well, he gets soaking wet and dirty, heaven knows what passer-by are thinking!
I guess I’m just looking for any solidarity of others going through the same, not that I wish this on anyone else! Or any stories of parents who have been through the same and come out the other side?! Honestly when he’s not tantruming he’s the loveliest little thing. I’m just looking for some comforting/encouraging words to get me through this and stop me feeling like I’m the biggest failure of a mum 😩