Advice for dealing with a 3 year old?

[undecidedowl]

I'm struggling. I'm sure it's partly the sleep deprivation, stress at work, etc. but I just am not dealing with DS1 well right now. I don't think he is doing anything unusual for a 3 year old, just the normal stuff. He is testing everything- how often we will take him to the potty, how many times he can come out of his room after bedtime. Constantly goofing off and trying to climb all over us, we never get a break. When I'm in a better place mentally it's not a big deal, but right now I just can't deal. I'll take any advice you've got.

[mlt]

Three was so horrible I've blocked it out. My kid just about killed me. My only advice is to try to treasure the good moments - they do say hilarious things! - and take a lot of breaks. MH and I did a lot of tag teaming so we could get a break. One thing that did help was outside time. My kid is much better behaved when he spends a lot of time outside.

[spankswife]

Ride the wave.

DD played that game for a while. I feel like we have a good 6 mos, then a rough 6 mos, from 2.5, til now at 5....

[Deleted]

Following. Dd won't be three til September but she's starting early...

[Deleted]

Pick your battles. Let him win the little things so that you aren't fighting all day.
Try to let it go. Easy to say but so hard to do.
Sometimes when she asks me to pee one more time before sleep and needs water and another blanket or whatever, I am so annoyed because I just want a break. But then I remind myself for 10 more minutes I can allow something - I usually only allow extra pee or something that she needs not wants. But I remind myself that another book or another question to prolong the book is worth answering rather than having a 10 minute argument.
Does that make any sense?
And as always - ask here.

[aspentosh]

Not abnormal at all, at least based on my experience. I could have written your exact post.

We are just as consistent as possible. I reiterate that I am not a playground. I reiterate that if she has to go potty, I'll take her, but it's not a game and she doesn't make it one. I reiterate that I'll come into her room if she really needs something, but bathroom break to pee/brush teeth/wash hands before bedtime is her time to get everything done. I think she's *slowly* getting it and testing boundaries less. At least she is testing them less often. Or maybe just differently, lol.

And yes, have a drink

[livinitup]

They turn four. THAT helps a lot.





And I'm a little serious. All the work you do now PAYS OFF at 4 and 5.

[aspentosh]

May 23, 2015 21:13:31 GMT -5 livinitup said:

They turn four. THAT helps a lot.





And I'm a little serious. All the work you do now PAYS OFF at 4 and 5.

This makes me feel better. Sometimes I just feel like I am in this hamster wheel that I just want to get off. But then she'll melt my heart by saying "thank you" without prompting, and give hugs to a kid that is crying. So I know we're doing something right. But DAMN it can suck.

[lilac05]

That's all pretty typical for most 3 year olds. You've got a double whammy because the baby is "stealing" attention by doing cute things now, and it's becoming obvious that the baby is here to stay.

It's a phase. Your sweet, well-behaved, wonderful child will return. In the meantime, be sure to find time to give him lots of positive attention every day (even if it's just "I love how you chose to watch Daniel Tiger! His songs are so fun!"). Choose your battles, but once you've chosen a battle, be sure to follow through.

[anaps28]

Wine is the only answer I have for you that actually gives immediate relief.

3 sucks so bad! Stay strong and be consistent and yes pick your battles.

[badtzmaru22]

Wine. And apologizing to my mom for whatever I did when I was three.