Ok, so the myth about the terrible two's is so misleading. You think if I can only live through 2, I will be ok. Well, I am here to tell you that 3 is so much worse! This maybe a venting blog, so if you don't want your ears assaulted with whining, I would stop reading now:) Bailey turned 3 in November and I swear a switch flipped and her temper tantrums increased ten fold. Matt and I actually don't know what to do anymore. She whines or throws a fit about almost everything. Especially if she is told no, or that she has to be patient and wait a few minutes. It is like I shot her or something, the drama involved in these tantrums is almost hilarious if it weren't so annoying and frustrating. Please someone tell me that their child is as crazy as mine. It's so weird too, because they end as quickly as they began too. One minute she will be screaming in time out and the next she is laughing and talking about how cute Matt's cologne bottles are. Please, any advice would be appreciated.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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7 comments:
Been there, done that, and totally agree!! Carter was the same way and I think is finally starting to grow out of it. We tried a few different things with him and they all seemed to work for awhile but you have to switch it up or they just get bored. One thing we did was give him choices. For example, if you need her to wait for something you say, You can wait for five minutes and get a treat or you can scream and still wait and not get a treat. What do you choose? They both have to be choices that make you happy and that really will happen. Plus you give them choices all throughout the day so they feel like they are in control. Like, which spoon would you like, this one or that one? Do you want these shoes or those shoes? etc. Does this make sense? We read the book Love and Logic. It seemed to work for awhile but now Carter gives US choices! haha pretty funny. Just call me and you can vent anytime! I will listen with open ears! :)
I agree 100%!! ryan is turning three in a month and he has turned over a new leaf! I used to tell Carl that we have the easiest two year old. Now I am being cursed. My friends who have kids the same age say the same thing. Terrible THREES!!! I hope I live through it! I don't have advice since I am going through it myself!
Nate is the same way. He is 3 1/2 and it's still worse than 2. Plus, we started the terrible twos at like 20 months, not at 2. I just let him have his tantrums. I don't want to listen to it, so I put him in is room, and as soon as he is done screaming he can come out. I don't know that it is helping at all, but it helps me keep my sanity. Good luck. It's got to end eventually right?
As you know, children usually start having tantrums when they have about a 100-200 word vocabulary. The big problem is having some words, but not enough words yet. The result can be a tantrum.
However, as Bailey probably is beyond that, you might want to start a trigger list for times when it isn't just frustration. What was she doing? What time of day? What day of the week? What had she just eaten? Who was she with? Where was she? It may be that the carpet in Aunt Grace and Uncle George's home upsets her system (I'm sure it's not Aunt Grace and Uncle George), or if she's late getting to nap time.
Once you have a list of tantrum triggers you can help prevent them and life is a lot easier.
Good luck!
Judy Colbert
www.TuffTurtle.com/tantrums.htm
Temper Tantrum Common Sense Handbook
3 is definitely worse - I think it is because they are more verbal than they are when they are 2 which only adds to the naughtiness! My youngest was the worst - my oldest was a breeze - and the same stands now that they are 12 & 14. It's amazing how their toddler years reflect the teen years - times 100! Good luck - it's a good thing your little girl is so cute! She reminds me of you a lot as I remember your early years! Keep your scissors out of her reach so she doesn't chop off her bangs like you did! I remember the picture hanging on your Mom's wall - that was priceless! Haha!
Poor April!! I totally agree with the terrible threes! I always say the same things, that two is much easier. Two of my kids come to mind and Im sure you know which two..haha. The choices idea is a really good point. It works well with my kids for the most part. Brendan is my hard one and he is 4. He throws horrible tantrums sometimes to the point where I want to rip my hair out. I think his come about when he is overly tired though. Good luck and hang in there. Cameron is two and a half now and super sweet. I hope it stays that way for my sanity.
Spank that baby and make her peee!!! ha ha...j/k. I agree with the choice method. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a time out.... and breathe and count to 100. Good luck...and just be grateful she is three and not thirteen...because like your friend, Danielle says..it's is really Threex100. I miss you... you are really a wonderful mother:)
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