[JustBarbara]

Ever since DS came home at 5 months people tell me that the 'next' stage will be so much harder than the current one. So far it has been an incredible journey and he will turn 3 in March. Luckily nothing that I would label terrible behaviour. I'm just curious about the three-year-old's mind / age-appropriate behaviour. Anyone

[Disneycrazed]

I know what you mean. Same thing with Malea.We have not seen any of the terrible two's yet. She hardly even has any meltdowns.
So we are waiting to see if it hits a little later or do we get an etra dose in the teen years.LOL

[mcnay1]

Our 3 year old has "phases." Hopefully, he is coming out of one right now. But, our 2 year old has been fine so far. Maybe it is because our 3 year old has been more difficult or that we know what to expect since we just went through it with our oldest. But, my pediatrician's definision of these 2 stages:

At 2 years old, your toddler says "no." At 3, its "no" with attitude...

Man, is she right!!!

[sak9645]

My daughter's preschool director once said that, from what parents were telling her, it was the "terrible twos, horrible threes, and bleepin' awful fours."

Luckily, my daughter was about the easiest toddler imaginable, except in the eating area. However, my daughter is now 13, and I am learning that there's another stage that's almost as "interesting" as toddlerhood.


Sharon

[hml1976]

Maybe you just got lucky Some kids are easy going, its their personality. My son is 2 and super active but otherwise an easy kid. My daughter is 4 and just got out of her terrible 2's and 3's a couple months ago!

[sfalone]

I would have to agree with the poster that said three is No with an attitude. Marco was three in August. He has "phases" He will have phases of back talking, not listening, tantrums, eating has become a chore. The not liking to share has been exemplified since his sister has come home. He fights nap and bedtime (things he has never done before). Most days he is my easy going boy but other days I just wonder where did my Marco go and who is this little monster!

Oh and three has by far been harder than his two's.

Good Luck.

Stacy

[MoonKitty77]

I read on a parenting website that once the child hits 2, you've already gone through the "terrible 2's". They say that the "terrible 2's" are really the 2nd year of life...which would be from 12 months to 24 months.

[JillnChris]

I once read that toddlerhood is the first adolescents. It is just a period were they are learning how to control themselves and they can get very frustrated at two because they can't yet say everything they want to say. At three and four I think it is just finding that balance of control.
I wouldn't necessarily call any stage "terrible" it is just part of childhood and growing up.

[dianneemily]

If the 2's are terrible, then the 3's are WORSE. Honestly, 3 was really difficult with Katy. At 2, she was stubborn at times, but by 3 she really knew what she wanted and also knew how to whine - ugh. I will say that 4 was much better and we are approaching 5 now, so we'll see.

[hml1976]

Originally Posted by MoonKitty77

I read on a parenting website that once the child hits 2, you've already gone through the "terrible 2's". They say that the "terrible 2's" are really the 2nd year of life...which would be from 12 months to 24 months.

That parenting web site is on crack. Ask any experienced parent and 24mths+ is WAY harder than younger than 2yrs old. Those little fussy fits an 18mth old can throw is NOTHING compared to the raging tantrum of a 2.5yr old.

[dswaak]

In my opinion, the "terrible 2s" are only terrible for the 2-year-old. They get frustrated so easily and want to do more than they are capable of. Dominic didn't start having a hard time until recently, he'll be 3 in February. But in my opinion, he's still been a joy to be with/around. . .we just have to help him get through the tough stuff. It's been much harder on him than on us, although it's hard to see him so upset!

[dswaak]

Originally Posted by sfalone

I would have to agree with the poster that said three is No with an attitude. Marco was three in August. He has "phases" He will have phases of back talking, not listening, tantrums, eating has become a chore. The not liking to share has been exemplified since his sister has come home. He fights nap and bedtime (things he has never done before). Most days he is my easy going boy but other days I just wonder where did my Marco go and who is this little monster!

Oh and three has by far been harder than his two's.

Good Luck.

Stacy

Our Dominic went through the same exact thing when Sandra came home in February - it was a rough couple of months but he is back to himself now!

[MoonKitty77]

Originally Posted by hml1976

That parenting web site is on crack. Ask any experienced parent and 24mths+ is WAY harder than younger than 2yrs old. Those little fussy fits an 18mth old can throw is NOTHING compared to the raging tantrum of a 2.5yr old.

Point taken.....as my daughter just turned 2 and can throw some SERIOUS fits. However, in the websites defense, they did not discount the fits a 24mths+ can throw.
I once saw Sarah Jessica Parker on Oprah talking about her 3 year old in regards to tantrums, etc. and she said that "3 is the new 2" lol!
My sister has a 3 year old and he puts my 2 year old to shame with his fits. I'm nervous about 3. LOL!

[Slatond10]

We had a bit of the "terrible 2"s since DD was a biter but that disappeared b4 3's... I would say 3 has had it's "phases" like other posters. She is primarily angelic for 3 wks and then a 1 wk of testing boundary phase.

But it is AMAZING how much she has grown ( physical growth spurt ) that turned Ms Grace into a bit of a clutz. Mental growth that opened up so much understanding and ability to memorize. She sings songs of the months / days of the weeks / books of the bibles/ ABC's ..etc. Motor skills improved in "fine motor skills). Her scribbles became pictures that were recognizable. SOCIAL SKILLS __ BIG LEAPS -- totally into friends.


There is just so much FUN FUN FUN to explore and see in them @ 3 that has been AWESOME. She wants to do and see everything.

She just turned 4, which I am told has a whole new level of maturity. ( She may be more mature than me @ this rate)

[annaguat]

If you have not seen the terrrible two-s just be aware of the threes. All mine that had easy two-s went through way worse threes. My now three year olds are going through it. Oh my! My second child did the same thing. The two-s and threes are intensive when it comes to parenting but definitely my favorite childhood phase. So all can't be bad. They are so much fun at this age. Anna