I know there are plenty of posts here about having a ‘threenager’ but I guess I curious if anyone else is in the same boat and how you’re handling it. My kind and polite toddler has changed so much in a couple of months and the meltdowns are extreme and draining. I know it is developmentally normal and use all the strategies such as clear, simple language, offering straightforward choices, keeping myself regulated, etc. But last week has really made me think we need to do more to nip this in the bud.
He turned 3 so we threw a birthday party. It was so challenging; he would not say hello to anyone, wouldn’t play with anything I’d arranged/rented, didn’t want any other child to play with it, said he didn’t like his friends, etc. That I can understand as him feeling overwhelmed- I get it (note that he really wanted this party and has been so excited for it) - but what I’m struggling with is he hit me multiple times, in front of the party guests, sometimes reaching for something to hit me with (including over the head, hard) as well as trying to hit other kids. I know kids use behaviour to communicate and can hit to express themselves/feel heard, but me and my OH were literally with my son all the time at his party (and he has excellent verbal skills so can communicate fine). Oh and OH was in full ‘fun dad’ mode and didn’t get hit at all. He never use to hit but over the last month it’s happening frequently thoughtout the day. He goes to nursery x3 a week (has done since he was 1) and they have not reported it as an issue, nor anything else with his behaviour.
I guess I’m wondering about other people’s experiences, and how you coped and kept yourself together going through this? And how do you respond if your child has whacked you in front of other people (I try not to care what people think but it’s hard- I tried to keep calm, distract him, to no avail). I cried on the way home last week from his party (not in front of him!) and thought what a waste of energy, time and money, which I guess was also a release from trying to keep it together during the day.