A.L. asks from Hickory, NC on November 28, 2006
Terrible Attitude...
My little girl just recently turned three. Before now she has been the best child I could have ever asked for. But in the past couple of weeks she has been acting out. Pitching these little fits, stomping her feet, throwing things, and yelling at everyone. I have never seen anything like it. I am waiting for her head to start spinning around!!! LOL I am trying to make the best of this terrible situation but it's not working. She is pushing me to the limit and my baby sitters. I can't hardly take her into public anymore. She is so terrible I don't want to expose strangers to her. I don't know what I should do. We recently took her in for her three year check up and saw a new doctor that we had never seen before. Lanee was so terible at the doctor, she suggested I go see somebody because I didn't have control of her. Needless to say this statement made me very upset. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have any suggestions? I am all ears.
More Answers
L.L. answers from Columbia on November 30, 2006
If it helps any I went through this 8 years ago. My now 11 year old had the terrible 3's instead of the terrible 2's. I did not know how I as a mom was going to survive it , but I did and she out grew it. As for us it was just a phase. Just don't give up , hold your head high and stand firm. I wish you all the best.
Sincerly
L. L
K.S. answers from Danville on November 29, 2006
i understand completly on what your saying my 4 yr old throws himself on the floor, screams to the tops of his lungs everything he can just to get his way or just because he thinks he can... i have learned that taking he out of the situation and putting him in a room by him self and explaining that he can come out when he quits usally wrks, when he gets done i explain to him why i put him in the room... hes been doing this since he hit those terrible 2's.. i hope this wrks for ya!!
L.R. answers from Charlottesville on November 29, 2006
Hello A. L, first off let me say I'm the mother of a 6 year old so I've been there. I know every child is different but here are a couple of things that worked for me. 1.) Time out with a timer, give her three minutes of time out when she has an outburst, make sure she knows you mean business- no toys no hugs, sit her in a chair or small stool in a plain boring corner of a room until the timer goes off add a half minute for each outburst after that, but never go over 5 minutes that's too long for a little person. 2.) Ignore her. I find if you ignore the outburst it'll usually go away, this one is only good for while you're at home. and 3.) Talk to her, tell her how it makes you and others feel when she shows this behavior, believe me they understand more than we give them credit for. Well I hope this helps. Oh!!!! I almost forgot this one is fun, show her how she acts, imitate her so that she can see how she looks to you. You'll both get a kick out of it and maybe she'll ask you some questions about the behavior I know mine did.
R.D. answers from Charleston on November 29, 2006
Don't feel discouraged. I have a 3 year old son acting the same way. He is very out of control also. I know the reason he is acting out is out of frustration. We had a major change in our home recently. I spent the entire month of September in the hospital due to pregancy complications, and our baby is still in the hospital. He used to go see his brother, but because of the ward he is on now, only family over age 12 can see him. My 3 year old gets very upset when we tell him he can only see pictures. He waited all this time for a baby brother, then mommy "went away", and his brother didnt come home with me. Too much for a little one to deal with.
I am wondering if your daughter may be feeling some sort of stress over a change in her life. Was there something that may have happened, like a move, new sitter, etc? As far as taking her to see someone, it couldnt hurt. I imagine it is mostly play therapy, and she may enjoy it. Good luck. Let me know if you find something that is productive for her behavior. I am shooting for when his brother gets home, we can settle into a routine and he will settle down.
M.S. answers from Fayetteville on November 30, 2006
OH BOY,
I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON THAT TEMPTS MY NERVES EVERYDAY. I CALL HIS NAME OUT ALL DAY LONG. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOM SO IMAGINE. I TAKE IT IN STRIDE SOME DAYS BUT I NEVER LET SOMEONE TELL ME THAT I DONT HAVE CONTROL. I LET MY CHILDREN'S PERSONALITY FLOW AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES BUT WHEN I HAVE TOLD YOU MORE THAN ONCE SOMETHING AND IT DOESNT GET DONE THATS MY BREAKDOWN POINT. IN PUBLIC, I TALK TO THEM BEFORE WE GO ANYWHERE AND WHILE WE ARE IN THE STORE. MY CHILD HAS ACTED UP IN RESTURANTS, GROCERY LINE, EVERYWHERE. MY FAMOUS STARE YOU DOWN LOOK WORKS SOMETIMES BUT I ALWAYS SAY WE HAVE TO GO HOME LOL. CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN AND I LOVE ALL FIVE OF MINE DEARLY. I JUST KNOW THAT THE TIME WILL PASS AND THEY WILL GET OLDER AND I TAKE IT DAY BY DAY.
TRISMA, STAY AT HOME MOM OF FIVE
AGES 10(G)9, 5, 3, AND 9 MONTHS(B)
EDD 14 JULY 07 (HOPEFULLY A GIRL)
V.B. answers from Wilmington on November 30, 2006
Hi A.,
You are not alone there, but I have three of them that act like that all the time. My oldest who is almost 8 is getting a little better, the youngest of the 3 is just now starting it so it isn't so bad, but my 4 year old is a total terror. I never go out with all of them by myself if I can avoid it. I have asked for help from their doctors and none of them have helped at all. I just grind my teeth and bare it, but I just wanted you to know you aren't alone. V.
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