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Friday, June 8, 2012

The Treacherous Threes

Three......is.......really...........HARD!  For everyone.  It has been tantrum city around our house for the past few weeks.  Two definitely had it's moments for us, but it was nothing compared to this age they call "3".  I feel that parents are sorely mislead.  It seems that everyone talks up the "terrible twos", in fact, it even has it's own title.  Why is three never mentioned?

At three, many children have the abilitly to focus on a task for longer periods of time = tantrums that last for at least (seemingly) 90+ minutes.

At three, many children are more verbal and comprehensive = LOTS of talking back.  Some of my favorites:  "It's not FAIR to wear a blue shirt!" or, "I DON'T WANT TO EAT MY YOGURT WITH A SPOON!"  and,  "I don't want the bubbles to melt...WHAAAAAAAA" (in the bath).

  how is it possible to be sad over chocolate ice cream? ....from the ice cream truck???? 

All of these have fairly easy solutions, change shirts, try yogurt with a fork or as a fruit dip, add some more bubbles to the bath....  We can't even get to the solution part though.  Before I can even ask or talk about how we can resolve the problem there is a screaming, kicking tantrum.  AGGGGGGHHHHHHH!   Once the tantrum starts, forget it.  It's OVER (the peace in our house I mean).   I try to think of and be sympathetic to how he must feel when he is in the midst of this all out fit, and I try to be as patient and loving as I can, but also firm.  Sometimes, there is no solution, every suggestion is wrong.  Every suggestion results in a new wave of angry tears.   Sometimes it is down right funny, sometimes it is downright draining. (A lot of the time it is down right draining).  Sometimes the only solution around here is to let him cry until he is done.  Then, just as if I never gave him a spoon, all is well and he is laughing and hugging.

**Three is no where near 21 so we are outlawing the use of whine.  When *whine occurs, mommy needs lots of extra *wine.  The amount yesterday would have put me in a stupor for a week straight.
  
 My conclusion:  Tantrums topped with wanting to be naked constantly are starting to wear us down just slightly...

Calling all parents...how was three for your child and how did you survive?????

1 comment:

  1. Oh, that picture says it all!

    We are going through the same thing with Oliver right now (he turns 3 in two weeks) and it is SOOO hard! He can be sweet as cherry pie one minute, then a monster the next!

    Hang in there. Four is definitely easier... and Milo is about to turn five and that boy is sweet as can be!

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