Anyone else wonder why they call it "Terrible 2's" instead of "Terrible 3's"?

Cassie - posted on 04/02/2010

Yes, My daughter turned 3 in Feburary and I thought the what people called "terrible twos" weren't so terrible. Oh my Terrible 3 is in full motion. Biggest temper tantrum ever with my daughter at Walmart. Didn't get something so she cried/scream all the way to the car, manovering body so she couldn't get into car seat. Had to wait a while until she settled down before getting her into the car seat. When we got home, she had to sit in time out for 3 minutes. Then I asked her why she was in time out and she told me she was crying at the store. Wow, I think it should be just terrible 3's instead of 2's.

Erica - posted on 04/01/2010

my daughter is the same way. she was easier at 2 , but a few months before she turned 3.. omg its like shes a differnt child lol. she s gotten very bossy & does not want to listen.& yes those little tantrums can be quite emabarssing out in public, mine had one last wk. my oldest didnt do it as much but he still got a little more difficult to handle at 3

Michelle - posted on 03/27/2010

AMEN, ur mom is so right, my 2 who are 3 and 4 are exactly like that, then toss in my 6yr old nephew, and you have total chaos!

Cyndi - posted on 03/27/2010

I think 2 was a piece of cake compared to 3! An older neighbor referred to it as the "terrible twos", and the "trying threes". Good luck. I'm right there with ya.

Michelle - posted on 03/27/2010

I call them terrible 2's and torturious 3's!

Karen - posted on 03/26/2010

My Mom always said Terrible two's, horrible 3's! She said 2 is terrible because you just can't take your eyes off of them because they are always getting into something but 3's are horrible because they develop an attitude to go along with their curiosity.

Anna - posted on 03/25/2010

I have worked with two and three year olds for 20 years. I have always said the same thing you are saying. Terrific two's TERRIBLE THREE'S. I don't know who started it, but I think they are wrong.

Claire - posted on 03/25/2010

I'm having the same trouble! babycentre.com have a great article explaining it it's all to do with them becoming more independent and not being able to control their emotions yet, I've found that a reward chart & heavy emphasis on good behaviour as well as banning 'food treats' for bad is good, when she starts a tantrum I also ask if she just wants a hug and 8/10 this stops it - the rest of the time I leave her to scream it out and then it's the naughty step! good luck

Kelly - posted on 03/23/2010

Hi Katie, I have three daughters, and though they are all different...3 seems to be a magic number. The only thing I can figure out is that it is an age when they SO want to do things that they either can't do or aren't allowed to do. It is very frustrating. To make it even worse, my youngest has her two big sisters (6 and 9) that are doing so many things that she either can't do or they don't want her to do! The best thing to do is to just offer as many choices as possible of things that she CAN do. Good luck. It's not fun or pretty, but they do outgrow it!
:)

Amanda - posted on 03/21/2010

katie i just wanted to let you know i am right there with you my daughters first tantrum was about a week after she turned 3 i find that time out works if you stick with it! they will cry for a minute but dont let them get up till they are done crying eventually they will stop and learn that they can not behave like that. it works for me hopefully it will for you!

Brandi - posted on 03/19/2010

I once read an article about how the "terrible twos" really are the terrible 2 1/2 to 3 1/2. It rang true with my 2 oldest. The tantrums & poor behavior started somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 and was over just before turning 4 with my oldest...my second child is still in the middle of it as he just turned 3 in Feb.



hope this helped!