At nearly four-years-old Landon is still such a sweet boy. But he certainly has his moments.
When we moved to our new house last year we saw a change in him. The sudden attitude came out of nowhere. He would talk back and keep doing the wrong thing even when we asked him to stop. And the tantrums began. For many people it’s coined the “terrible twos.” Not for us. Two was a breeze compared to three-years-old.
Maybe the transition to a new house and a new daycare was just too much him. Naaman and I thought he would settle in and the tantrums would calm down. But no, they only seem to get more frequent during his time as a three-year-old.
I’m not worried about his behavior. In fact, I’m guessing this is completely normal and a lot of people deal with this change. I’m just one of those dumb parents in la-la-land who thought the tantrums would skip over us. Landon was so easy breezy until right before he turned three. So imagine my surprise the first time he falls on the floor and cries for fifteen minutes over the fact that I gave Brigham the blue sippy cup and not him. I hadn’t dealt with much of that yet so I didn’t (don’t) know how to handle it.
For the most part he is still a sweetheart of a little boy. Hugs and kisses and “I love you’s” are plentiful. They tell me he is the star student at preschool and they never have issues with his behavior. But when he’s with us, every once in awhile, we have an unexpected meltdown. Most recently, in the waiting area of Bob Evans because I wouldn’t buy him candy. Cue end-of-the-world tantrum.
You must not misunderstand me. I love this little dude more than my life. He is usually the sweetest boy. I would do anything to keep him happy. But when he is in the middle of a tantrum it seems like nothing will calm him down. It’s like we have to let him ride it out. It’s maybe ten minutes and then he is his little happy self again.
I feel bad for Brigham. As he often seems to be the source of Landon’s breakdowns. I wish I could say that they are best buds. Brigham wants so much to be just like his big brother. But Landon sometimes seems uninterested in him. Brigham playing with one of his toys or Brigham getting the attention from us can cause a major tantrum. It feels like we stop whatever we’re doing with Brigham in order to deal with Landon. I’m sure Brigham will be just fine. But it still makes me feel bad for him.
Landon can be very emotional. Just like his mama. I understand that three-year-olds don’t yet have the mental capacity to control their emotions all the time. I’m questioning myself though. Am I doing everything I can? Are these tantrums my fault somehow?
And I’d like to know . . . does this get better? Will the tantrums and attitude subside any time soon? Is four-years-old worse or better? Are you laughing at me as I’m as I’m writing this?
I love my Landon so much. This is just a mama venting to other mamas. I know it’s not possible for him to be happy all the time. Just look at this dude. No matter where his range of emotions are he has my heart always.
Twitter: NPRMommy
says:
we breezed through the twos, too….but three was not fun!! my son was relatively easy as a three-year-old, but my daughter spent a LOT of time in her room as a 3-year-old. She could not be talked out of, or distracted from, a tantrum. So we would just say “I’m sorry you’re so unhappy. But it’s not ok for you to act like this. You can come out of your room when you’re ready to cooperate.” It was never more than 10 minutes and that sweet little voice would call out “Mommy! I’m ready to cooperate!!” Then cuddles and kisses and on our way until the next explosion.
You are not alone, for sure! Hang in there!! Four was a MUCH easier year for us! (and she is 11 now and stopped throwing tantrums a long time ago! LOL)
I was just telling some friends of mine at church yesterday that I would love to find a Christian couple in our church that have kids older than ours, so they could mentor us. I would love to hear what did/didn’t work and just have someone to go to with frustrations to help me get through each tough season.
Good luck, Mama. Keep on keepin’ on.
Megan recently posted..Cute boys + A giveaway
Twitter: SteshaSims
says:
Our twins never experienced the terrible twos either, but now that they’re 3 it’s been tantrum city. The smallest thing can lead to them throwing their bodies on the floor and kicking and screaming. The boy twin has started rolling on the floor. I kid you not… he rolled from the living room to the hallway the other day. We have older kids so I know it does get better.
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Twitter: Rsimplelives
says:
He’s sure lucky he’s cute! No wonder he gets away with stuff. ha!
John is almost a teen and still has meltdowns. Would that be considered the Terrible Teens? I’ll let you know when that passes.
m.
Mark recently posted..Pillow Talk
Twitter: labuenavidamere
says:
I was mid-way through this post, but just had to take a 40 minute break because Lizzy had a 40-minute tantrum (because Logan requested the Turtle movie and she wanted to watch something else). So, no advice, but I just understand. And I totally just requested a handful of library books about parenting a “spirited” child.
Meredith @ La Buena Vida recently posted..Perfect Provision
I have heard a lot of moms say that 3 is worse than 2, so I know you are not alone. My very sweet, laid back boy is just starting to show a few tantrums and man—they are scary. Hang in there! I’m sure it will get better eventually!
julia recently posted..How my mom made us a bajillion Roman shades
I’ve heard that the guy who coined “Terrible Twos” was quite upset by it’s popularity, because he felt like it misled parents into believing it was somehow a worse stage, when really every age presents difficulty in some manner or the other.
I’m in the trenches with you.
leah recently posted..Four Frames
Twitter: momgosomething
says:
I completely relate to your feelings/thoughts.
We came out of the 2′s unscathed.
Three’s?
Completely different.
I want to pull my hair out most days and the tantrums make my skin crawl. I don’t know what to do. There are a lot of time outs and sorrys said.
My son is a wonderful caring soul but gahhhhh…these tantrums…
Kimberly recently posted..Soulmates And Ewoks: That’s How She Rolls
Twitter: bebehblog
says:
I thought the terrible twos had hit us pretty hard, but it was nothing compared to the full-out tantrums Evan has had in the last month. Luckily he’s easier to reason with and talk to and encourage to use his words (I feel like I say “USE YOUR WORDS” a hundred times a day) than he was at two, but when he loses control of his emotions…HOLY COW. I don’t think anyone would accuse a mom having a hard time with a preschooler of being anything less than completely normal for feeling a little overwhelmed by it all some times.
Suzanne recently posted..Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble
We are continuing to struggle with this too. We had a lot of 2 yo tantrums too but 3 has been even more challenging so far! I had to drag him off the grocery store floor last week because he started melting down about being told not to touch every blessed thing in the dairy case. He is so sweet much of the time but the tantrums (particularly the ones that come out of the blue) and the not listening drive me bonkers! I got a couple of child dvmt books and am hoping there will be something helpful.
Tantrums may wane but, sistah, the attitude never does. My ten-year-old gives me more lip now than when he was two. Lol, it never ends.
Levi skipped the terrible twos. He started a the end of his third year and really hit his snotty stride at age 4. For him it’s developed into the most dramatic little boy ever. His tantrums have changed with age but no gone away and he’s almost six so…sorry.
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Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I think that the 3′s are so much harder than the 2′s. I know it’s tough now, but it does get easier. And look at that face! He’s lucky he’s so cute!
Kimberly recently posted..Relaxing Days and Flexible Schedules
For us, 3 has been relatively the same as 2 (so far, we’re only half way through the 3rd year!). I’d describe Cameron as a great kid, and pretty easy to reason with if hes not super tired or hungry. HOWEVER- there are times, sometimes for a week or two straight, he’ll misbehave so bad- being mean to his sister and doing things that he knows he shouldn’t be doing. He will spend more time in time out than not, it seems. Honestly during those times- when it’s the most mentally draining on me and I want to pull my hair out, I HAVE to be on top of my game to make sure i’m keeping him in check. I try to be QUICK to stop his talking back and firm when I tell him something. I find that if I work hard and be consistent with his discipline, he’s back to being his good ol’ self in no time. Every kid is different for sure, and every momma goes through it! Hang in there!