why is it called terrible twos when 3 year olds are worse!!!!!

Emily - posted on 04/13/2009

I don't know why they call it "terrible twos". I love tow year olds. I think they are generally gentle, sweet and learning so much. Three was a chaotic year for my daughter's emotions.  This is a great site dedicated to tips and tricks for discipline at the preschool level.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/presc...

Taylor - posted on 04/12/2009

My aunt taught me the thumping the lips trick. It has been used on all five generations of my family and still works. When my daughter tries to talk back, I threaten to thump her lips, not hard, just to get her attention. If she continues I thump and make a serious face w/ a tone to match. It works 96% of the time, the other 4% a swat on the butt works.

Paula - posted on 04/06/2009

omg u r not alone at all.me and partner have 2 girls one is 3 and one is 4 now but 3 was always a worser year than 2 so i dont know who called it that but theyre wrong to me!they do grow out of it dont panic 2 much,they grow up so fast nowadays.

u have to both work together and keep at it and he will get it eventualy,i know it seems like he wont and theres gonna b no end but soon this will b bhind u and ull b onto the next phase.

Diamarys - posted on 04/06/2009

i have nothing to say mine are only 13 month but every kids are like that good luck

Ashlee - posted on 04/06/2009

I'm going through the SAME THING! My daughter will be 3 this June and I didn't see the terrible two's in her this whole time, but now that she's getting ready to be 3, she is a little terrorist!!

She doesn't listen to me unless I'm in her face yelling with my voice as serious as it can be. And I hate doing that. But I hope it gets better for you, as well as me, and the other mommy's going through this "Terrorist Three's Stage"

Mel - posted on 04/05/2009

hi lindsay

i know exactly what you are going through my son is nearly 4 and is hard to deal with at times, when he has his own way he is great but when i say no we have the tantrums, ive just started doing the naughty step routine and stopping the treats, it seems to be working but very slowly.

i am hoping that he will get better and calm down soon lol

mel

Jamie - posted on 04/05/2009

I think so many people let things slide during "terrible 2s" that the behavior continues as they get older and gets worse. no child should back talk to a parent or not listen. You need to put your foot down and stop letting him walk all over you. If that means giving him a swat on the butt then do it, cause sounds like time out isnt working. Both my kids started to go through terrible 2s and I put my foot down, it lasted only a few months and now i have a 3 and 4 year old that are well behaved.

Erica - posted on 04/04/2009

My son was horrible starting about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 but we are rather strict with stupid being a bad word and they aren't even aloud to say "oh my gosh". I think since we have been consitant with sending them to their room when they did something wrong it is alot better and we have even found him (hes 4 1/2) sending himself to his room when he does something wrong. My advice...make a punishment everytime  they are unappropriate and stick with it and explain why you gave the punishment after they are done serving it....Hope it works for you, it has been beneficial for my son so far...good luck

Susie - posted on 04/04/2009

It's funny you should say that. Whenever I complain about terrible 2's my sister in law says "Wait till the 3's when they realize they really DON"T have to listen to you." But yes it will get better. Good luck!

Jennifer - posted on 04/04/2009

I call it terrible 2s, then comes the horrible 3s, and prepare yourself for the f-ing 4s. around 5 they start to get better. 

Mylene - posted on 04/04/2009

By what I have observed with my youngest step-son and the little ones I've babysat, they usually go into those tantrums because they feel like they have no control over anything. It is extremely frustrating for them. So the time out has to stick when there is bad behavior but I found that involving the kid more in everyday tasks works pretty good. It gives them time to spend with you, gives them responsabilities and shows them you trust them.

You can also give them a bit more choices... So let's say they have their own forks for dinner and dinner is spaghetti. They can choose to use either the blue or red fork but they don't have a choice to use a fork... Or blue or green socks to go to grammies house... but no choice to wear socks... Simple things go a long way!

Leslie - posted on 04/04/2009

i dont no but my four and a half year old is the same way, she gets so stubborn sometimes, i just dont no what to do sometimes, im in your boat and if anyone know what to do besides deal and every so often put them in time out let me no to!!i dont no were the attitude came from she used to be so sweet.

lets all pray its just a fase