how do I not get angry at nearly 3 year old? :(

[yougotafastcar]

I have the most stubborn DS. Tonight he is awake because he is hungry (he isn't & if I fed him this would be his excuse every night), his other excuses tonight are he's thirsty (fine, got him a drink), the room is scary, there's a noise, the floor is scary, he wants a teeny cuddle. I offer a cuddle on his bed, but no has to be in mine, which is why he is really awake.

I don't want him in my bed. Its a small double, I'm 38 weeks pregnant & when he does come in he wants to sleep on me, in my arms or with his arms wrapped around me. He then whinges if DP so much as breathes in his direction & I end up with no sleep anyway. He has always started the night in his own bed but from 4 months was waking up 7 times a night so we have co-slept on and off until he was two.

The problem is I get so angry that he does understand he needs to stay in his bed but argues with everything! He expects me to sit on a chair in his room while he sleeps. His gro clock has the sun come up at 6am which I don't think is unreasonable, I'm happy for him to look at books in bed quietly if he can't sleep or play with his teddies. He knows he can, as he sleeps with his favourite books! I'm happy to provide cuddles and drinks and tuck him back in but not for an hour! I'm so worried about the baby coming and I don't want him to feel like I'm horrible or always angry or abandoning him.

I have no advice but I am with you. I have a 2.5 DS and am 35 weeks pregnant. His behavior over the last week has been 'interesting'. Really clingy and whiney. Eg he will say he wants his cars so I pass them to him, he will then shriek 'no cars' and throw himself on the floor. Repeat with juice, dinner, painting, toys etc...also his bed time has gone up the spout. He goes to bed at 7 but gets up and shrieks. A lot. So he eventually goes to sleep at around 9. Then is up at 5.30. He also wants me to lie with him or sit in his chair until he falls asleep which I refuse to do.
I think maybe he knows change is coming with the baby? I just put back to bed and leave, and carry on doing that. It's easy to get wound up but I try not to. He also likes to sleep draped all over me if he was in our bed. It's very hard but won't last forever < weak smile>

I can't find it now but a while ago I read a story about a couple madly in love, the husband then tells the wife I love you so much, it is do great having a wife that I am getting another one... If you are the wife how of you feel? (It was better written but hopefully it gives you an idea...) well, the story says that's similar to how children feel when told a sibling is coming and that's why their behaviour changes, they are insecure.
Maybe try to talk about possible insecurities and reassure him?

Not addressing how to get him to sleep, but a very wise neighbour of mine told her children that the baby was really looking forward to seeing them and then when she had the baby in hospital, sent them small presents back from their baby sister. As a result the baby was the star of the family.

Thanks for replying. Sorry you're going through the same jigglywiggly!

His speech & understanding is very good, so we have talked about how he will always be my baby & all the exciting things he can do & the baby is pretty boring as she wont do much! Presents are on the way too, he has some favourite hotwheels cars coming, and have made him a book with pictures of him as a baby as he loves looking at photos of himself.

I don't really think the baby sister is the problem though, he has always been like this, arguing in the middle of the night because he wants to be in my bed. He just refuses to lie down again. Very frustrating.