The Terrible 3's

Okay,
Last week I was weepy over my son's 3rd birthday. Since turning 3 he's becoming quite the little spitfire! Is this a boy thing or a 3 y.o. thing? I don't recall my daughter having this phase.
Perhaps it's just my little man asserting his "individuality". What has been your experience at this age?

Tags: developmental, mothering, stages

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Permalink Reply by Amy E. Willard on April 4, 2009 at 1:23pm: Hi, Darline.

I've been experiencing the same thing with my just-turned 3-year old son. His older sister went through some of it as well, but at the time I attributed it to the fact that I had just had a baby (him); she was close to 3 years old at the time. I figured she was just going through the phase of adjusting to having a little brother and the change in family dynamics. I'm seeing some of the same behaviors, however, in my son now so I'm beginning to wonder...He's always been much more physical than my daughter, but he is really asserting his independence these days and has not been responding to my directions/discipline. It seems that when I tell him he can't do something or that's not how to behave, etc., he doesn't hear me anymore.
I continue to give him choices, when possible, but he definitely wants to be doing his own thing.

Definitely a challenging time here. Hopefully this phase will be short-lived for both of us!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachele on April 6, 2009 at 4:25pm: Oh it is sooo the age. Mine youngest will be 3 at the end of the month but has been exhibiting the "tyrannical 3's" for a couple months now. We noticed the terrible 2's didn't exist with our son (now almost 6) nor with our daughter but instead they start at 3. The almost 6 year old hasn't come out of it yet :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy Newman on April 10, 2009 at 11:22am: The threes have been much more difficult with both of my kids. My daughter, especially, can be a pistol! My mom says she is just how I was, and then some, so she is enjoying watching me now! My son is a bit more laid back, but had his moments, too.

But, I know that during the teenage years I'll look back on these days longingly! Teens in my 50s--eek!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine on April 21, 2009 at 11:13am: My three-year-old is particularly challenging to me as well. My five-year-old didn't seem nearly as...um...demanding. I keep waiting for the little one to snap out of it but right now he has the ability to deteriorate a pleasant situation in one minute. And then he says "I lo you mommy" and I forget all about it...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darline Turner-Lee on April 23, 2009 at 10:32am: It's an amazing ability the little ones have to be a demon one minute and to steal your heart the next!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Style - Be connected With Style on May 19, 2009 at 9:28pm: I have news for you. My daughter started the terrible threes at 18 months! At three she is still in the terrible threes but mellowing out now that she is turning 4. Thank goodness! 'Cause mommy needs a break!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darline Turner-Lee on May 26, 2009 at 10:18am: My son is still "figuring things out". What I have discovered is that he is quite a savvy little guy. He acts in response to things around him, mainly his older sister who tries to boss him around. He takes it for a while then "fights back!" We've seen more tantrums, but on the other hand, he is more affectionate. He is also very attached to me. I agree with you, I think he's just trying to figure it all out. He'd like to be independent, but it's a scary proposition.; ▶ Reply to This

The Terrible 3's

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