Turning 3 - and end to terrible 2's

[PaulGH]

Our experience has been that not every child follows the standard pattern. Our first two boys were difficult from about 1.5 years old to about 3.5 years old. Then from about 3.5 to 4 to 5 and onward, they got progressively better behaved. This was pretty much what we expected – the classic “terrible two” pattern.

On the other hand, our third child was an angel at age 2 and age 3, at least compared to his older brothers when they were the same age. But now that he has turned 4, his behavior has gotten much worse. He frequently causes trouble, starts fights, disobeys, and throws tantrums. We are confident that it is a phase and that his behavior will get better, but we have been a bit disappointed as we thought that maybe he was the one child who would never give us much trouble.

 

[Serap]

I am sure your daughter will be just fine. You sound like you have good parenting skills and a loving household. I do get what you mean about your son and wanting to forget the past year. I’ve had a few of those years myself with one of my boys. He is autistic and VERY close to my husband. When my husband deploys it always takes an ugly turn at our house. We always make it through and choose not to dwell on how ugly it became…we just move on. Now that this son is 12, even when his father is gone it never gets as bad. It is so beautiful watching children grow, mature and become little people of God. I do tease my kids and Tell them how much easier my life would be if I was the mother of one of those families you see on TV where all the kids look alike, act alike, dress alike, etc. And especially if I could discipline them all in the same way and get the same results. Honestly I believe that it would be boring. I couldn’t imagine not having my big beautiful mess of a family. It’s not always easy but it makes deployments and other military separations more manageable. I have a mission in life and a purpose to fulfill. And it feels great being able to hand it all off to Papi when he returns home! He misses them all and I’m ready for a vacation so it’s perfect

God bless you! You are a great mom.

I have to admit, sometimes I give my son “tough love” when he’s acting out. He knows that I won’t put up with it and he will go into his ‘time out spot’ and I won’t hug him until he’s acting nicely.

Now when he goes to his time out spot, within 5-10 minutes he’s calm and I then tell him he’s a good boy and I pick him up and hug him to death, tickle him and tell him how much I love him.

I make a point of giving him lots and lots of attention when he’s being a good boy…lots of hugs and kisses…lots of praise. My son really loves this kind of attention and he responds really well to it.

 

[Serap]

Our experience has been that not every child follows the standard pattern. Our first two boys were difficult from about 1.5 years old to about 3.5 years old. Then from about 3.5 to 4 to 5 and onward, they got progressively better behaved. This was pretty much what we expected – the classic “terrible two” pattern.

On the other hand, our third child was an angel at age 2 and age 3, at least compared to his older brothers when they were the same age. But now that he has turned 4, his behavior has gotten much worse. He frequently causes trouble, starts fights, disobeys, and throws tantrums. We are confident that it is a phase and that his behavior will get better, but we have been a bit disappointed as we thought that maybe he was the one child who would never give us much trouble.

it’s funny how no child seems to follow any pattern of behaviour.

good luck with your 4 year old!!!

 

[Sarabande]

So happy that things are going well for your little guy, Serap!!! :hug1:

Everyone has been bracing me for the terrible threes, telling me it’s worse than the terrible twos. I’m keeping my fingers crossed there won’t be the terrible threes. My daughter will be three in about a month and she seems to be doing much better than 7 months ago. For a while, she was in the time out corner at least 5 times a day, sometimes throwing tantrums, sneaking treats and other things she knew she wasn’t allowed to have, completely ignoring me, etc. Granted, I had a new baby 7 months ago, so that was a big change for her and there was some jealousy and insecurity issues and I think she was acting out on that. Usually very independent, she wanted my attention all the time, she didn’t even want me to practice my music when before she loved hearing me practice. Over the last month, she has gotten better with listening to me when I ask her to do something. She’s finally wanting to potty train after months and months of trying and we’ve made some major progress in that department over these last few days. And she is now “allowing” me to practice and will even sing scales and some songs with me.

For me, so far I think this year with a new baby and going through the 2’s has been the most challenging and I’m finally beginning to see light through the trees. That doesn’t mean, I’m out of the woods yet. I’m realistic enough to know that. lol! But I want to stay positive.

 

[Serap]

So happy that things are going well for your little guy, Serap!!! :hug1:

Everyone has been bracing me for the terrible threes, telling me it’s worse than the terrible twos. I’m keeping my fingers crossed there won’t be the terrible threes. My daughter will be three in about a month and she seems to be doing much better than 7 months ago. For a while, she was in the time out corner at least 5 times a day, sometimes throwing tantrums, sneaking treats and other things she knew she wasn’t allowed to have, completely ignoring me, etc. Granted, I had a new baby 7 months ago, so that was a big change for her and there was some jealousy and insecurity issues and I think she was acting out on that. Usually very independent, she wanted my attention all the time, she didn’t even want me to practice my music when before she loved hearing me practice. Over the last month, she has gotten better with listening to me when I ask her to do something. She’s finally wanting to potty train after months and months of trying and we’ve made some major progress in that department over these last few days. And she is now “allowing” me to practice and will even sing scales and some songs with me.

For me, so far I think this year with a new baby and going through the 2’s has been the most challenging and I’m finally beginning to see light through the trees. That doesn’t mean, I’m out of the woods yet. I’m realistic enough to know that. lol! But I want to stay positive.

FWIW…my dd at age 3 was amazing! She was eager to please me and I gave her the odd time out. She was a sweetheart at age 3 and she was learning so many new things…I loved watching her grow that year. So many changes!

my dd was also 2 years and 3.5 months when ds was born and she too was like your dd. I had a really hard time during that period b/c ds also had colic for 5 months.

OMG…so glad those days are over. my marriage is fairing well now that all those horrible stresses are gone.