Terrible threes?

Question

My daughter just turned 3 and yikes. She has been so sassy. She yells at me, has melt downs everywhere and anywhere, she refuses to take naps. 2's were cake compared to this. Help!

Answer 1

3 is a much harder age than 2.   My 4 year old will ask me every single time I try to discipline him "Is Poppi here?" (his name for his stepfather)..........which makes me NUTS.   I want to be the one in control, I feel right now like "I don't have to listen to mom unless poppi is here".  

He "refuses" a lot to take naps too, but I tell him he needs to spend "quiet time" with his action figures in his room, on his bed, and he inevitably will fall asleep because he does still NEED his nap.

Not sure if your daughter is in preschool or has some structure (naptime is at 11:15 no matter what), but that may help as well.

Good luck to you...........you WILL get through this.

Answer 2

Where has she learned this behavior?  Is she modeling you?  Sorry if I sound preachy.

She may not need a nap anymore depending on how much sleep she gets at night.

To the people that have suggested spanking, I disagree.  I got spanked as a child and I don't think it did much.

Answer 3

yep mine just turned 3 and yesterday she told me that i HAD to pick up her room becasue she is MY boss.... it doesnt help that she just spent the weekend at her moms house who never punishes for the sassy-ness

Answer 4

oh man oh man!!!  my daughter will be 3 in August and I have been experiencing the sassy, independant, attitude for the last 4 months already and it just came out of NOWHERE!!  I'm hoping that means we're already just about through it lmao (doubt I'll be so lucky)  you just have to be firm and consistent and often, ignore her.  Sometimes they just want to see how far they can push the limits and sometimes they are just doing it for attention (no matter how much attention they get).  They are just trying to establish themselves and figure out who they are..... and at the same time, my daughter has become WAY more fun....she says the funniest things and just understands so much more.  Yep, the 2's are definitely a cake walk compared to the 3's!!!

Answer 5

Yeah, I totally think 3 is wrose than 2. It's better too, though- they develop even more personality and become more independant.

You just have to make some new rules and enforce them. Yelling in my house is an instant time out, and fits end up with bed time. Just let her know you won't put up with it. Don't be mean about it, just make sure there are consequences for negative (and positive) behaviour.

Answer 6

oh i agree...2 was a breeze,three on the other hand is a nightmare!! my daughter turned 3 in april and she scares me lol she even turned around to me today because i was having a joke with her(and today she wasnt in the mood) and she turned around to me and said"stop whinding me up"then flicked her hair and stormed off.....i was standing there with my mouth wide open in shock......i said to her "and where did you learn that katelyn?" and she goes "i dunno,be quiet mummy im busy"   i dont even know when she grew up lol but i have to admit she keeps me entertained!!

Answer 7

Yikes!  There's nothing more troubling than a sassy 3 year old; they're so tough to deal with.

I would start using a time-out system; it's what worked for me when my younger son was going through the terrible two's and three's.  If your daughter starts whining, give her a warning and tell her (calmly but firmly) why you would like her to stop and what you will do if she does not stop (with a three year old, set her down on a stool for 3 minutes).  If she does not stop whining, follow through with it!  That is the most important thing you can do; if you don't back up your warnings, she will take advantage of that.  After her 3 minutes, come back with an explanation of what she did wrong and request an apology.

If she refuses to take naps, try easing into a nap the same way you would with bedtime.  For half an hour before nap time, do something to wind down; get cozy in bed, read some stories, and maybe have a snack.  Also, make sure nap time is at the same time every day.

If she starts complaining and screaming in a store, get down to her level and tell her (again, calmly but firmly) that you will leave the store if she does not stop.  If she continues the tantrum, you need to leave the store and go home.  If you're on a trip somewhere, at least go back to the car.

Good luck!  I know rambunctious 3 year olds can be tough, but you'll make it through; my son just turned 4 in May, and he's been much less stubborn for awhile now.

Answer 8

Terrible two's are a LIE!!!  The three's are AWFUL!!!  Be firm, be consistent and make sure to praise her when she is good.  It WILL pass.  I promise.  You just have to wait until she is 4.

Answer 9

AMEN!  My daughter is 3 and 1/2.  She has become mouthy and tries to push the limits.  I just have to remember that she is the child and it is my responsibility to train and instruct and be patient!  But there are some days I just want to scream into a pillow.

Answer 10

spank her butt

Answer 11

hey kids can be a hand full

but the best parenting is a good mixture of freedom ( letting do what they want an explore let them learn on their own)

and discipline (hit them so they know who's boss and what not to do)

Answer 12

YES! I could never figure out why they called it the terrible 2's, 3 was so much worse. Just buckle down and cross your fingers for 4!