The notorious “terrible twos” used to strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. That is, until threenagers entered the picture. Ugh, threenagers, right? With their constantly shifting opinions, intense emotions, and unpredictable behavior, these little ones can try even the most patient parents. But — call me crazy — I genuinely believe threenagers are amazing.
I can already hear your thoughts. You might think I’m just an experienced mom looking back on the earlier stages of childhood with some overly sentimental nostalgia. It’s common for parents to reflect on those days with rose-tinted glasses. A mom may fondly remember the cuddles of a newborn, conveniently forgetting the sleepless nights, sore nipples, and non-stop crying. A parent of a teenager might grumble about how trivial potty-training challenges seem compared to the stress of waiting for a teen to return home after curfew. And let’s not forget the empty-nester who reminds us to cherish every moment because it all goes by so quickly! (Cue the eye roll.)
But hear me out. I don’t often wear those rose-tinted glasses when I think about my children’s early years. I tend to appreciate the phase we’re in at any given moment. My maternal instincts don’t kick in when I see an adorable baby, and I certainly don’t yearn for the days of diapers, despite the joy of chubby little legs and sweet coos. With my kids now ages 7 and 10, it’s easy to love this stage — right now — the best.
Yet I have a soft spot for three-year-olds, and it wasn’t too long ago that I had one under my roof.
In my opinion, threenagers often get a bad reputation. Yes, they can be dramatic and prone to meltdowns. They have their moments of high energy and seemingly need to calm down over almost everything. Any parent who has engaged in a 20-minute debate about what day it is (and we all have!) knows that three-year-olds can be quite a handful. They are moody, emotional, and yes, a bit irrational. But perhaps that’s why we connect so well — I can be all those things too!
Beyond these behavioral quirks, let me share why I find threenagers so remarkable.
Three-year-olds are incredibly sweet and chatty, and they love to laugh. While they can throw tantrums, they are small enough to be easily removed from a situation, and trust me, a flailing three-year-old is much easier to carry out of a restaurant than reasoning with a 6- and 10-year-old embroiled in an intense argument over tablet usage.
At three, they embody the joyfulness of toddlers with a touch more predictability. Many of them are potty-trained and sleep soundly in their beds (note: I said many, not all). They can engage in conversation, crack jokes, and express their own interests and opinions.
They are little bundles of energy, ready to embrace life. Three-year-olds sport tutus and colorful tights. They wear astronaut helmets all day long, confidently believing they’re headed for the stars. They don tiaras like royalty because in their minds, they truly rule the world. They mix and match accessories from their dress-up box and wear multiple princess dresses simultaneously because they can. To them, there are no boundaries between “boy things” and “girl things”; only what they enjoy, and everyone else can back off. Three-year-olds embody the ultimate IDGAF attitude.
While they might tear up easily and display their emotions dramatically, they also laugh, love, and forgive with equal ease. Though some may label them as unreasonable, they are actually quite self-aware, in tune with their feelings, and receptive to the complexities of emotions in this chaotic world. For them, life is not merely black and white but a vibrant spectrum of colors and shades.
Yes, three-year-olds can be challenging, just like any age. However, despite their ups and downs, threenagers are a delightful mix of hope, optimism, and the full range of human emotions. Every day is a vibrant adventure for a three-year-old, and perhaps that’s what makes them so incredibly awesome.
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Summary:
Threenagers, often misunderstood, embody a unique blend of sweetness, humor, and emotional depth. While they can be challenging, their vibrant energy and open-heartedness remind us of the joy in every moment.