My daughter (3 in January) has her good days and her bad days. She can be an angel, and then turn around 5 minutes later and be a little devil. Whether its hitting or pushing her brother (or me or her dad!) or getting too testy, throwing a fit for no reason, yelling, shouting, etc... I feel like she is more aggressive some days than ever! Is this just a phase of the terrible two's? or could it be a side effect to the albuterol we have her on (only when she gets a cold though)....
Like I said, she's not constantly bad, but I feel like she is pushing her bounderies (and my limits) a lot more lately!
Albuterol can cause hyperactivity, however, it's normal to expect pushing of boundaries at this age. I don't believe in "terrible twos" and never used that term to refer to my kids. I never thought they were terrible, but pushing the boundaries and not being compliant, and some tantrums, are a normal phase in development. The real issue is, what are you doing about it?
I thought it was a complete challenge raising my kids when they were 3.
I knew in the back of my mind that they already had me figured out.
Also, kids at age three spend at least 1/2 of their time in the "testing" limits at home during this stage. Plus, alot of social/emotional growth is taking place now !
If she hits (which is common)...Pick her up immediately and tell her that hitting is not ok. Tell her it's ok to get mad but she can't hit people.
Some parents tell their kids to hit a pillow if they are mad. That did not work in my house.
A parenting expert once told me that if you are a wishy washy parent during the testing stage---which is usually age 3, then, put a number one in front of the 3. Why? She meant that if you were a push-over parent when the kid was 3, then, 13 would be ever so more difficult.
This bit of advice was especially true w/ kids who had "spirited" personalities.
Check out Love and Logic - it's a parenting style that helps them learn to make good choices and feel like they have some control over their lives now that they are becoming more independent. They are learning that they are individuals, and their brains are changing a lot. It freaks them out a bit.
3s are so much worse than 2s. It doesn't get better till 5. So pick a strategy and stick with it. Lots of great parenting books out and free at your library.
Parenting 3 yr olds is not for sissys. They are more vocal and sassy and aggressive. Search for posts on 3 yr olds on this site and you will find more questions about them than any other age. There will be many answers of wisdom, also. Good luck!
It's most likely age. The 3's get even more challenging, it's all about independence and what they want. Be consistent and in time..some time, thing will get better :)
Yes, with 3 comes lots of hitting and name calling and just big shows of anger and emotion.
I found 3 easier than 2.5 with my daughter but my daughter has always been precocious. My son turns 3 next week, and man can I tell!
I agree with the others. I believe the reason is that she is almost 3. Like the others mentioned, in my experience 3 was a trillion times more challenging than 2. You will make it through it :-)
Give me a 2 yr old any day. 3 is so much worse. If I could give my 3 yr old away and get her back when she is 4 that would be awesome. Kidding, of course. :) Sounds like your daughter is perfectly normal. Sorry about that. LOL!
