As a pediatrician and a parent, I’ve been fortunate with my younger child. He’s generally easygoing, incredibly affectionate, and calms down easily. After dealing with my older son, who was a whirlwind from day one, this laid-back demeanor has been a welcome change. I thought I had bypassed the infamous “terrible twos” with this one, and while his transition to three was manageable, it seems that once he hit 3 ¾, a switch flipped. Lately, his “threenager” frustrations have reached a new level. I often find myself wanting to just shake his indignant little self. His opinions on everything are loud and unyielding, and when things don’t go his way, the volume goes through the roof.
It’s not merely a few pet peeves; it’s a full-blown list of grievances he holds dear. At times, I just wish he would calm down about it all. Here are some of the highlights from his list. Yes, he’s only three, but honestly, these issues shouldn’t carry the weight they do for him.
- Candy
I understand the allure of candy—it’s colorful, sweet, and downright irresistible. But asking for it at 6 a.m. and then continuing to plead for it every hour until I relent with one tiny piece after dinner? I simply can’t cope with the persistent begging. - His Anatomy
For young boys, the discovery of their own anatomy is like finding the ultimate toy. My son, even when dressed, has found ways to make it a focal point of his day—like yesterday when he decided to stick it through the hole in his underwear. “Mommy, it’s just so beautiful!” he exclaimed, leaving me speechless. - “Helping”
My son loves to lend a hand, particularly when it comes to cleaning. Unfortunately, his idea of cleaning involves dousing the floor in soap, turning it into a slippery mess and leaving me with a more significant job than I started with. Thanks for the “assistance,” kiddo. - Chicken Nuggets
Recently, I faced the wrath of my son when I forgot to cut his chicken nuggets into pieces. The next day, when I did cut them up, he still threw a fit. It’s an impossible game of guessing what will please him. - YouTube Toy Unboxings
Initially, it was those bizarre “Surprise Egg” videos, which have now evolved into more annoying toy unboxing clips featuring overly enthusiastic hosts. My son is currently obsessed with a channel that reveals toys in the most irritating way. Enough is enough! - His Brother’s Belongings
If his older brother touches something, my younger son suddenly needs it too. Whether it’s marbles or a cheese sandwich, he insists on having whatever his brother has, even if he doesn’t like it. If he doesn’t get it immediately, prepare for a lengthy meltdown. - Food Preferences
My younger son used to be a great eater until he decided that only bread and cereal would do. When I suggested that pita chips alone don’t count as dinner, he cleverly responded, “Mommy, pita chips can be dinner in your imagination.” - Potty Hygiene
We have entered the realm of potty training, and my son is very particular about his cleanliness after using the toilet. He insists on using three squares of toilet paper followed by a baby wipe—no exceptions. I foresee myself still wiping his bottom long into his teenage years. - Food Contact
On the rare occasion he eats something other than his usual staples, the mere thought of two foods touching sends him into a frenzy. If they do touch, it’s as if the world is ending. - Shopkins
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about these tiny plastic figures at first, but they’ve grown on me. However, if I have to listen to him ask for the name of each one or whine about losing them, I might just lose my mind. - Wetness
My son has a bizarre aversion to anything wet. I’m not quite sure what he means sometimes, but he’ll complain about toast being “too wet” or yogurt being unacceptable because it’s… wet. Yet he has no qualms about soaking himself when washing his hands. - Clothing
To my son, clothes seem like an unnecessary restriction on his freedom. He’ll wear them for visitors or while outside, but once home, they’re off in a flash. The other day, he realized he had forgotten to remove his clothes and exclaimed, “Oh no! I left my clothes on by accident!”
Despite this chaos, I can’t help but find humor in my threenager’s antics. I remain hopeful that this phase is merely temporary. While navigating these strong opinions can be exhausting, I recognize that asserting his viewpoint is a crucial part of his development.
For more insights into parenting and family life, check out resources like March of Dimes for parenting guidance and Make a Mom for various home insemination kits. And if you’re interested in further discussions, feel free to visit this link.
Summary
Navigating the world of a threenager can be both amusing and challenging. From candy cravings to clothing protests, these tiny humans have a lot to say about their lives, often leading to loud and persistent demands. Understanding their development and providing space for them to express their needs is vital, even if it feels overwhelming at times.