“This is the most wonderful age,” an older lady in the park remarked with a grin directed at my 3-year-old daughter. I offered a polite smile in response, but my true feelings were far from it. Inside, I was thinking, “Are you serious? This little whirlwind is a handful!”
When my daughter hit the age of 3, her behavior took a nosedive into sheer chaos. I was blindsided, having believed that the “terrible twos” were the peak of the struggle. But the moment she turned 3, everything changed for the worse. I found myself longing for the days when my 2-year-old was merely throwing tantrums—at least she was amusing. Now, I was dealing with a threenager, and I finally understood why that term exists. Those who said 2 was the worst? They were definitely mistaken.
If you’re in the same boat, you’ll need some support to navigate this challenging stage. Below are some common questions I’ve compiled along with my honest answers. I hope they offer some guidance.
Why are 3-year-olds so challenging?
Why is the ocean salty? Why is the sky blue? I have no idea. A child psychologist might explain why this phase is necessary in child development, but all I can do is prepare you for the whirlwind you’re about to face. Brace yourself for a storm of chaos.
Just a few weeks ago, I was cozied up on my couch, engrossed in a captivating article from the New York Times, coffee in hand. Suddenly, out of nowhere, my 35-pound daughter burst through the pages like a football player crashing through a banner. I was so startled that coffee spilled all over me, and I let out an expletive. And what did she do? She laughed—loudly—at my misfortune. Despite my efforts to prevent such antics, she seems to have a weekly ritual of catching me off guard every Sunday morning. Coffee and newspapers have been banished from our weekend routine.
What drives a 3-year-old?
A 3-year-old’s primary mission? To dismantle your sanity. They are masters at testing your patience until your mental state feels fragile, and then they push even harder. You can practically see the gears turning in their little heads as they plot your unraveling.
As I typed away on my laptop at the kitchen table, my daughter leaned over my shoulder, employing a variety of strategies to distract me—slamming the keyboard, shouting, and even poking me in the mouth. When those tactics failed, she resorted to an unexpected move: she found the largest booger imaginable and smeared it across my computer screen. “Look at that!” she giggled with pride. Did she get my attention? Absolutely.
How bad can it really get?
The month my daughter turned 3, her ability to listen vanished, and her determination to drive me to the brink of insanity soared. She only seems to hear me when gummy bears, race cars, or cartoons are mentioned. Normal toddler behaviors like screaming and kicking escalated, but I truly believe that the psychological games played by 3-year-olds are a form of wickedness.
Their most effective strategy is transforming a simple task into a monumental challenge. For example, getting out of the car for a doctor’s appointment can devolve into a 10-minute battle of wills. Recently, my daughter would beg endlessly to go outside or to the playground, and just when I was ready to go, she’d suddenly change her mind. It may seem trivial, but when it happens hundreds of times a day, it feels torturous.
What if you lose your cool?
Apologize. Give them a hug. Offer a bribe. Then move on.
Can you actually survive this phase?
Yes, it’s possible, but you’ll need to adopt some coping strategies. Personally, I rely on king-sized chocolate bars, sodas, and spicy chicken biscuits from the deli.
This age can be downright difficult. However, I remind myself that it’s just a phase, like all the others in a child’s development. It will pass. Maybe not as quickly as I would like, but eventually, it will pass. A wise parent once told me, “If she’s still acting like this at 16, we’ll get her some help. Until then, just let it be.”
So, my advice is simple: find moments to laugh, take breaks, and embrace the absurdity of it all. Don’t forget to indulge in some chocolate along the way to keep your sanity intact.
For more insights, check out this blog post on navigating parenthood. Also, if you’re interested in the topic of home insemination, Make A Mom is a great resource. For pregnancy-related information, visit Womens Health for helpful guidance.
Summary:
Navigating the threenager phase can be a tumultuous experience for parents, with 3-year-olds often exhibiting challenging behaviors that test patience and sanity. As they push boundaries and engage in psychological games, it’s crucial to find humor, take breaks, and maintain coping strategies. Remember, this phase will pass, and laughter can be a great ally in the process.