It started just after his birthday, just two days into being three. He has become a little monster. I have seen a big change that I cant believe is going on. He has a temper now which was never shown before. He is also defiant. My patience has never been short until now. I can see why some parents end up killing their children unintentionally.
You will tell him not to do something. He will look at you and do exactly what you say not to do with a big smile on his face and mock you just with the smile. I get so upset because I know he is pushing my buttons and I just walk away. I get so mad. I should not walk away. I should attack it right away to prevent it from happening again. I have to think before I react. That is my problem.
The worst part about the whole thing is that we try not to give him everything he wants. He is our only son and it took 11 years to have him. I try not to spoil him but I can see how parents spoil their children without even realizing it. Everything on TV he wants and says, "I want that" or "Buy me that". I do not cave in most times.
He started to go to daycare in October. He loves going there. He has adjust well I thought. Yesterday the daycare teacher has said that he has been very aggressive in the last two day He is hittng, kicking children. We can not figure out why. He even bit a younger girl. My wife and myself reached out to the parents of the other child. It was nothing serious and no skin broken but I am worried that this will get out of control. I don't know if it is because he can not express himself or he gets frustrated. We asked him and he said, "yes". He said he did not like two younger children. I hope he out grows this fast.
I am hoping that the horrible three's go by fast and hope that 4's are fantastic. I am praying and doing the best that I can to help him through this rough time but I know this is growing pains of being a toddler.
.
Well, it does get better, but yes, 3 is a tough age. Now you didn't ask for my advice, but I'm going to give it anyway:
ReplyDeleteJust because things are tough now and kids are better when they're 4, that doesn't mean you should let him get away with stuff. He's testing you and the rest of the world (but really, he's testing his own limits in the world), so every foot you fail to put down now means a much tougher fight when he's older.
My kids don't look at the TV and say, "I want this," because they only watch Netflix. There's enough there for them, they get their own Kids profile, and they navigate and play shows by themselves.
And I guess the last thing is not to take it personally. When my son was 2, he learned to say, "I love you." When he was 3, he learned to say, "I hate you." But remember, life has prepared you for this. You need to be tough with him (while avoiding the urge to hurt him in any way). He's looking for boundaries--give him boundaries. The end result of a kid who grows up with boundaries is a happy kid, so don't worry about being "Mean Dad" now--it's for his own good. Good luck!