I always thought that it was the “terrible twos” that was the rough period for raising a child but HOLY CRAP, for us it’s looking like it’s going to be the “terrible threes”!

Has anyone with kids been through this? Our son will turn 3 in December and while he’s been a bit ornery during his twos, it’s getting rough going into the threes.

He will be sweet as can be one moment and transform into a raging monster the next. Last night he was playing around our 5 month old’s walker-chair and managed to tip it over with him inside then during dinner threw a forkful of chicken nugget with ketchup on it full force at the wall nearby, then proceeded to let loose a blood curdling scream. He’s also started throwing things at me and his brother and trying to hit me during his tantrums. We don’t put up with it and he gets either a swat on the rear or time out, but he definitely seems to be acting out for some reason.

The only thing I can think of is this house selling process and buying another has been incredibly stressful and sometimes there’s a bit of tension between me and my wife and we’ve had a couple fights too. He must be picking up on this stress and tension and acting out.

Anyone else have an otherwise sweet child turn into Benito Mussolini at age 3?

Wait till you see the terrible teens.

The terrible pre-teens aren’t much better.

Have you checked his crib for ISIS propaganda?

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Wait till you see the terrible teens.

His first born is three years old. It would be unethical to share what I was replying to, but my joking response was:

"I'm sure that the kids will be worth the effort, uh, someday. Just remember to keep spare money aside for bail when they are teenagers."

The terrible twos are just a warm up.

Seriously, he is probably at the stage where he is pushing boundaries. When he pushes and you don't give then he acts out.

Stay the course. Don't get emotional when you react, possibly step up the consequences such as set to bed without finishing dinner instead of time out and you'll get through this.


ETA; Make sure you both show a united front so he can't mom and pop you.

We're in the terrible threes right now with our daughter. She was great through most of her twos. I think it's just a matter of them becoming self aware and testing boundaries. Once they figure out they can have an opinion different from yours, it's over.

There is unrest on the forum
There is trouble with the threes

It varies by kid. Our daughter was certainly worse in her threes but was never that bad. Our almost three year old son on the other hand has been a handful throughout his twos and there’s not sign of letting up. Your stories sound familiar and my wife is legitimately concerned he has a behavioral issue. I still think it’s this stage but we will see.

my kids were fine at two. a bit whiny, but they know what they want and can't always communicate it yet. at three, they know what they want and CAN communicate it. that's where we ran into the terrible threes, holy shit.

The twos were nothing. I had a relatively sweet, compliant kid. Just you wait. They lied to us all (but I still wouldn’t give him up).

Just keep training, reminding, and educating. It’s all you. It took me a while to catch on that I was the only one that was going to really be able to impart manners- I truly thought that was a naturally progressing thing- like the desire or willingness to share and help (remember when they were so cute toddling around trying to help you) - not so with manners, etc. It is constant and ever-changing, no joke- wait till they start preschool or school and start interacting with other kids and bring those ideas home...
On another note your child might be extremely sensitive to your moods and if you are having a lot of stress it certainly is going to play out in his behavior. Best of luck. Remember: this too shall pass, and btw, don’t let that bs with knocking his sib over and throwing food fly. I know it’s hard, but get an iron grip on your temper, and correct that behavior. Best of luck.

Yes. My daughter is 3 1/2. It is much worse now. Defiance, tantrums, arguing, all the fun crap.

Three year olds are really just two year olds, with experience...

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
There is unrest on the forum
There is trouble with the threes

Let's not rush to conclusions here.

there is a reason they call them "threenagers"

No military preschool in the area?

At 2 the kids aren't terrible just curious and incidentally this leads to breakage. At 3 they are testing the boundaries and are more akin to a housecat, pushing things off tables and trying to kill you innocently enough.

Don't worry, this will soon be over. Then... May the fours be with you!

(Sorry, I had nothing constructive to contribute. I'll go back to lurking now....)

The twos are nothing. They are testing the world and themselves.

At three they are testing you. And it sucks. The twos were no sweat with my son, but the year of three was a huge pain in the ass. Deliberate acts of defiance and willful disobedience.

It got better though

Yep, three was worse than two for my two oldest. The third one just turned two, so we’ll see. Early indications are that she will kill us all before her next birthday anyway.