3 y.o driving me crazy!

I'm sure every mum of a 3 y.o can relate!

Maybe it's because I'm pg & tired & don't have the patience with him at the moment but he seems to push EVERY button there is in me, everyday!

He's getting ridiculously stubborn & he's a very big boy for his age & very heavy (sz of at least a 5 y.o) so trying to lift him is almost impossible esp too with having a big belly.

He torments his little sister (typical older sibling thing to do I know!) & purposely runs into her bowling her over, taking her toys off her, etc etc. I know most of this is all for my attention but he gets plenty of attention. I was told once after talking to a friend who is a kindy teacher that the sky's the limit when it comes to how much attention they want from you.

I'm just sooo tired of it!! I don't feel happy to be around him & can't wait for the days he goes to kindy in the afternoons (twice a week). He used to go through periods like this, but come good for a while & be all nice & loving & well behaved! But this stint seems to going on forever! I'm freaking as to what it'll be like when this baby is born & trying to deal with 3 kids under 4. I know its been done many times before but everyone's different & handle things differently. Unfortunately I find myself yelling at him far too often, I hate myself for it but get so wound up, esp after asking him nicely to do something & he just sits there & ignores me... so I'm asking & my voice is getting louder & louder till I'm yelling "RICO! GO & BRUSH YOUR TEETH! NOW!!" Even then he'll quite happily ignore me. If I go right up to him & look him in the eye & tell him what he needs to do, he'll scream at me & try hitting me or throwing something!

I'm sooo over it!

I guess that why they say being a parent is the hardest job in the world!

I realise I might expect too much from him & know they need to be given instructions one at a time, not "go & brush your teeth, then wash your face, then put your shoes on". It can only be "brush your teeth". Then when that's done, the next instruction.

Last week I was in the shopping mall, we had had lunch with my mum then I needed to get him some new shoes. I told him that we'd go & buy him some new shoes, but he did not want to go into the shop with me & was hitting me & doing his little tap dance (or more like stomp dance) & crying. I couldn't believe he was behaving like that, he has never done that before. I am pretty strict as I do not want a bratty kid & I know that my discipline does pay off & when he's older he'll hopefully be well behaved. My husband isn't so strict & can let things slide, but I feel it needs to be knocked on the head sooner rather than later, when it's too late to break a habit.

So I probably am putting too much stress on myself at this time, & yeah... guess I need to approach it all in a different manner, but still he is very hard work!!!

Edited by Italiah

My first is not born yet, but I remember how naughty my half sister was when she was 3. I was 11 and she was my nightmare. I think kids will always be kids and play up, and sometimes they can't understand what you mean when you explain to them why they can't do something. I guess you just gotta take it step by step and hope for the best. Get Hubby's more involved... and take some time out to read in the bath or something in the evenings.

Good luck!

Italiah, I have a two year old but still know EXACTLY what you mean! deep breaths!

Even the most simplest instruction becomes a chore! I just ask him to "come here" & he cant do that. Mister no ears I tell ya! My sister has a 5 y.o. & with that comes the smart mouth! I thought when he turned 3 he'd be out of the terrible two's but it just turns into the terrible three's. When in public if he was miss-behaving I'd give his arm a little pinch which used to work... now he calls out "Owww, don't pinch me!"

OH i hear ya Anouska!!!! your first post sounds like me talking about Bay!!! he is driving me absolutely nutts!!! GGGRRR with the no ears and the back chatting and the yelling!!!! whether its right or wrong i find myself doing what you do giving his arm a little pinch in public if he will not listen what so ever!!!
my DH says that im begining to yell way to much!! but EVERYTHING else i try does not work!!! stubborn little toad!!!! and after DH has to spend a bit of time with him in one of his moods he begins to sound like me!!
DH says i wasnt like that when i wasnt pregnant so he puts it down to that
You can PM me any day for a big ol winge! cos il be right there with ya!

gandt wrote: unfortunately 3 yr olds dont really like doing stuff on their own and arent really capable of it either. so you need to de stress and stop expecting too much from him and then you wont get as angry at him. i know sometimes it takes a bit more effort (or feels like it anyway) to take them by the hand and lead them to where you want them to be.

I wish it was that easy. If I do try this - taking his hand & leading him to where I need him to go, & he doesn't want to go he'll lie on the ground & won't get up & like I said earlier is VERY heavy to lift so that itself is a chore.

Italiah wrote: I don't bully my son, I'm his parent & I want him to be a respectful & law-abiding person when he grows up.

we all want that for our kids. However i dont think pinching - which is a secretive and hurtful thing to do wether you are an adult or child - teaches respect.

that though is just my opinion.

i have just finished reading ian grants growing great boys book... if you can get hold of a copy there is an interesting chapter about boys and their mums you may find interesting and possibly helpful.

Edited by gandt

yeah but i think there is a difference between smacking and pinching.
were you pinched by your parents as a child?