[csw]

I will also post this on the toddler/preschooler forum..

Is it "normal" for a girl who just turned 3 to be soooooo bossy? First she had the setback and speech delays and while we are happy she is talking (actually some days talks non stop) she is saying things like

"I want it NOW!"...she reminds me of the bratty girl in the Willie Wonka movie..

She is also calling everyone "Poopey Head" (her aunt taught her that)..

We try hard not to spoil her and don't buy her ton's of things or anything..we give her time out after 1 warning etc.she is very impulsive still and hyperactive at times as well..but getting better every day..

She wants my attention 24/7 and still has alot of trouble playing by herself..she is extremely clingy still and if I get out of the bed early she is up at 5 am searching the dark house for me etc..

So, the bossiness, extra clinginess, name calling..anyone elses daughter do these things?

[4onmybench]

Oh, just wait until she turns FOUR!!!

(yep, it's normal

[lotterino]

Azaleah just only turned 2 and she is that way too, with the bossiness. She can be pretty forceful in wanting things NOW or saying NO to something. We just try to be constant in our discipline and training. I know she won't be 8 and still be that way.

[CareBears82]

Little Man's 3 and he clings to certian people. His momma is the first he'll go to but there's a few others if she's not there. He's learing English now and he's starting to get bossy. Like he freaked out at the store when she wouldn't buy him a spefic toy.

[pmgor]

most certainly yes and at 6.5 we still are dealing with it. I think some personalites are worse also my oldest one went thru it but not like my second one.

[ashlind]

My little girl is 3 1/2 and boy does she have a strong personality

When we brought her home in April she was the sweetest, laid back child I've ever seen. We did all the things with her that all of the experts advise, but this last month has been something. She pushes, hits, and even tries to bite whomever tries to take something away from her or if another child wants her "Momi" and "Papi's" attention. We've been doing the time-out thing for the last 2 weeks and we just started seeing results. The last time Bella tried to hit someone she pulled her hand back in time and said "Oh". She caught herself in the nick of time and something in her told her not to do it. It was a big moment for all of us.

The major issue with us now is taking her shopping. She is very demanding and wants everything. One day I had to walk out of the store with her kicking, hitting AND trying to bite me all at the same time. She was howling so bad that it looked like I was trying to kidnapped the kid. My question is what should you do when you are in public places? There isn't a time-out chair for her to sit on and when you try to reason with her and talk it out she only screams louder. It's gotten to the point where we try not to bring her places. Any suggestions anyone?????

DeAnn

[becky]

Yes...mine does all of the above.

[DeeVee]

DS is 3 1/2 and this all sounds very familiar. It's hard in a public place -- usually I just pick him up and leave, but when you're halfway through your grocery shopping and you can't leave your loaded cart and go home, it's difficult.

We're very consistent with what the rules are, he's just constantly testing them. I just keep praying and try not to lose my cool (easier said than done!)

[MommyToTwo]

It was normal for my dd when she was 3.5 and now seems to be normal for my 3.5 year old ds.

[CashCrew]

I have a 3 yr old boy and he's going through the same stage. My girls were probably a little worse and harder to break though. ha ha

[praying4rlittl1]

Oh my does your post bring back memories! I think it's the nature of the beast, they want to be independent, but lack the maturity to consistently make good decisions. We left countless shopping carts full in stores while I hauled kids back out the car. LOL! Don't worry, those shopkeepers will put your stuff away no problem.

One thing to try (and it may or may not help) is to be very upfront before you go. When you get to the store and before you get out of the car, tell them in simple terms exactly what type of behavior you expect and what the consequences are for not following the rules. Then follow through. Over and over and over.

At some point they do get better...and then they hit the teen years and you've got it all over again but with hormones and now they're too big to carry...haha!

Good luck and keep repeating...this too shall pass...

[DPline]

Originally Posted by praying4rlittl1

I think it's the nature of the beast, they want to be independent, but lack the maturity to consistently make good decisions.

I think you have hit on it exactly. Lauren's favorite phrase these days is "NO!!!! MEEEEE do it!!!!" followed closely by "I want it NOWW!!!" I keep hoping she will be past this by three, because it is getting OLD!!

[heartbeat]

Throughout my life, when I'm around new people - whether it's a new job, date, or another couple - I'm somewhat reserved and mind my P's & Q's.

It's only when I've grown comfortable around them and relax that they get the full force of my personality, both good and ...could-live-without-that.

Then I feel free to tease them, play practical jokes, disagree, eat in their presence, and speak my mind.

That's when I know I like and enjoy being with them. On the rare occasion that someone gets their panties in a huff because I teasingly called them a knucklehead, I remind them that I wouldn't dream of being that familiar with someone I didn't like.

I know, easy for someone who doesn't have a bossy 3 yr old to say.

heartbeat

[Julaine]

Shopping is the hardest when you have a child going through a challenging age. But can you imagine being that little and being totally bored going through the store and seeing all these cool things and you not getting anything ? Sometimes it helps to put yourself in their situation. I always took something for the girls to keep them busy and otherwise occupied or gave them jobs like holding the coupons or trying to find the things at the coupons or counting cans of something or looking for a certain color in the produce department ! It didn't always worked but it worked most of the time. Also be sure child is not hungry or tired when you go shopping or to other outings !

[aura]

You don't know how relieved I am to see your post....my child is just being three and a half!! Bre does all the same things, it feels like a battle of the will some days around here and some days I think she wins! I want the twos back..they were a breeze! I try to find comfort in the fact that she has such a strong personality, and as far as wanting mommy all the time, there will come a time when she is a teenager that she won't and I know I will look back at this time in her life (without all the tiredness and some days no patients) and these will be the good days. I have been told 4 gets worse and 5 and 6 are better...just hang in there!