3yr old blues

[beansbeans!]

Hi all;

I am in need of some help.

Miss M turned 3 last week and already I am over her being 3.

Over the instant meltdowns, tears, and fury over absolutely nothing. Her inability to acknowledge what no means. Im over the emotional mess that she appears to be, her assumption that everything in this world is here just for her, and anyones attempt at taking it from here must be dealt with by pushing them over, throwing things, and the fake cry. I had almost forgotten about her fake cry, the one where she holds her head in her hands and pretends to sob, but then peaks out to make sure that you are falling for her ploy.

I am in need of some help, how have others survived their LO's being 3? Would really love it if some could please share their tactics?

Thank you in advance!

Justine

[sconeonamission]

Oh, when DS turned 3 in August, he was exactly the same... for weeks. Then all of a sudden he just stopped! The 'naughty corner' became more frequently visited, or a favourite toy taken away if he didn't behave. I just kinda had to hang in there.. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I hope it gets better for you soon! xx

[kungfubecca]

we are still in the 3s. DS was 3 in August and even before that he would cry about not being able to watch tv, or having to pack up toys, eat tea you name it we get it.
While it might be frowned apon if he is crying for no reason we either make him go to his room or we leave the room and say we will see you again when your finished crying and that you only cry when something really sad happens or you are hurt.
he calms down quicker when he has no audience.
he is more likley to bung it on when he is tired and or hungry.

re the possessive behaviour ds isn't too bad, he has been proclaiming a few things t be his, but as he was not the very first child born for either side of our family he has always been forced to share toys and people.
My niece throws herself to the floor and does the full on leg kicking etc, so i'm glad we don't have that.

My sil had had enough with her 3 yo (different niece) about 6 months ago now that she took every single possession away for 24hrs. Her bedroom was stark white, even the doona cover was taken away, but she did learn.

I think the trouble with 3 is that they have started to learn and push boundaries.

I feel for you and know just how frustrated you must be right now, I struggle most days to remember to reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour, and I have the niggling little thought that whoever wins the battle this year will impact on how he behaves as he grows up. 'cause he will know which buttons to push iykwim

Good luck

[Olive]

yep 3 is worse than 2 im affraid, wait til you get to 4 .... attitude starts

[~MummaBear~]

just popping in here to get some sujestions lol DD isnt 3 until December but she is EXACTLY like this already. Funny Both my DS's were nothing like it i just thought it must have been a girl thing!

[JordieC]

All I can say is THANK GOD someone else is going through this. It's almost exactly like my daughter. The world evolves around her!! Though we try not to let it too much. The big thing I have changed is to offer choices (which I already did ) but after doing this maybe once or twice I then leave her and say " I will come back in 1 minute and by then you have to make a choice" It avoids major agruments and let sme cool down for a bit. Doesn't always work but was better than what we were doing. Hang in there - I am just praying and hoping this behaviour will end sooner rather than later!

[JordieC]

yep 3 is worse than 2 im affraid, wait til you get to 4 .... attitude starts

Starts? I've had it for months!

[beansbeans!]

All I can say is THANK GOD someone else is going through this!

I second that! Thank you all so much! Getting on here and realising Im not alone has made a huge dfference. I was starting to think it was something I was doing wrong, something that I had encouraged.
There are shocker days when I totally forget to reward the good behaviour, but I am going to try and remember to do so.

But I think I must be doing something wrong, as she just doesnt seem to be responding to anything I do. Is that her job, to ignore everything I say and do, and just push boundaries?