New 3 yo...tribe - Page 2

[straighthaircurly]

Originally Posted by bjbunny

My son will be 3 at the end of August and we just had the worst evening! It began because he didn't want to go to the store with me and the baby (7mths). He stayed with daddy but when I got home his was on the counter crying his eyes out saying I want to go to the store with mommy! All evening long he would start it up again - and go to put his boots on. He seems to get very compulsive and repetative - especially when he wants something. It gets extremely hard when I feel so tired and overwhelmed.
Anyway I will keep checking the posts - it seems I am not alone!
Thanks!

I have to say it is just such a relief to know I am not alone in this. Transitions of any sort have been very challenging lately. My ds is always wanting to do the thing that is no longer possible. Classic example (although this one worked out) was going to the amusement park the other day with his cousins. We all decided to ride the carousel first...we pay and go in to pick an animal to ride. My ds freaks out because he wants to ride on the train, not the carousel (doesn't matter that we are riding that next!). So I take him out the exit and ask for my money back. While we are waiting for the refund, he says he wants to ride the carousel now. Fortunately the attendant was nice enough to let us back on right before it was due to start up. When the ride finished it took 5 minutes to convince him to get off in order to ride the train! Argh!

[eco_mama]

Dd turned 3 last month. I must say that I can definitely notice a difference. She's taller, her fingers are longer. She's starting to look like such a "big" girl. (Well..she did just recently become a BIG Sister : )

Her memory is amazing. She remembers songs big time now and when we read books...she sometimes "reads" along w/ me. It's crazy how much she remembers!

We've always been able to talk to her about alot of things. We've always explained things to her. Like what we expect, what she can/can't do, etc. She listens really good. If we ask her to please pick up her toys, she will w/o any protests. We never actually had the "terrible 2" experience. I think that's bogus really. I mean, of course children that age are gonna have their bad days (so to speak) but seriously, I don't think it was as "bad" as people have it cracked out to be.

She doesn't nap during the day. Only once in awhile. I really dread her having a nap because I know it'll be hard for her to go to sleep at her bedtime. (But I know she has some busy days so it's ok. : ) If she needs it, she needs it. We just let her stay up a little longer.) It's a 9pm. She goes to bed very well. When she was about 2.5yrs we started her in her own big girl bed and got in the routine of getting cleaned up for bed, reading books, and her going to sleep in her own bed but she always comes in ours in the middle of the night. Which has been a little tricky since having a new babe, but we're handling it well I think..

[robinkate]

Something that's been working well for us this week is a timer. Dd loves numbers and getting to push the button to turn off the beeping. So whenever we need to switch activities, I set the timer for a few minutes and she's handled it very well. I hope it lasts! She's also started taking a nap more often recently and then not falling asleep until ten. I think the long summer days make it more difficult for her to go to sleep.

[aprilushka]

My DS turned three in July. He has a four month old baby sister which doesn't seem to have phased him too much-- he used to get frustrated when he wanted me to do something while I was feeding her but he's mostly got over it. He naps some days but not others and some days now is not even protesting about going to bed at night. Right now DH sleeps in DS's room on a futon (DS alternates between crib (we still haven't bought him a bed) and sleeping with DH) while I sleep with the baby. I think we'll get a bed for DS this fall. Before DS always put up a fuss about going to sleep but now he says himself he wants to go to sleep, which is a shocker. He still has to be cajoled quite a bit into picking up his toys but generally in the past few weeks he's been easy to get along with. Before that we were at my in-laws for a month and my MIL's complete lack of enforcement of any rule made him more difficult then but he's actually been very pleasant since we've come home. He's mostly dressing himself now but still prefers to be fed for the most part. He's going to go to preschool in September three days a week which should be interesting, esp since he doesn't really speak English yet (our home language is Russian).

[aolinsmama]

my dd turned 3 the end of june. i can totally relate to the clingy-ness and the "get away" "don't look at me" etc. etc. we haven't done a set bedtime, she does still nap, not everyday but occasionally. she can't stand to have her hair washed...it has only been recently that it really needs a wash but it is tough!
i don't understand because she is a total waterbaby, absolutely loves it, even to the point of putting her face in (her own d ecision though) imaginative play is huge now, i just recently put her kitchen in the big kitchen with me and she just loves it. very into feeding all of us sweet.
she is my last "baby" so this time is very bittersweet for me. i do love seeing her grow and change though

[Venice Mamacita]

My DS turned 3 in May, and we can definitely relate to the ambivalence & tanrtrums others here are experiencing. It is so nice to know we're not alone! I'm hopeful he's moving out of this stage now, but it's been rough.

On the other hand, he continues to be such a sweet and hilarious child. Last week when I lay down with him for his nap, he very gently brushed my hair away and kissed my forehead . . . just like I do with him! It brought tears to my eyes.

We've been thinking about letting him pick out a fish to keep in his room . . . the story of Gibby is inspiration!

How's everyone doing with potty learning? DS still has no desire . . . and we'd like to start co-op preschool in January/February . . . .

[robinkate]

Venice Mamacita -
Dd is still potty learning too (3 in July). She's been doing well running around without a diaper and asking for one when she needs to go, but hasn't sat on the potty in about a month. Yesterday she decided she didn't want to wear a diaper OR sit on the potty! That didn't work so well. I've been thinking about getting some toys for rewards but I don't want to pressure her too much.

[Venice Mamacita]

I feel the same way re: pressure & PL -- although I will say that we succumbed to M&M bribery the first week we tried it. DS just doesn't care to use the potty. He's sat on it several times, and I read to him or we sing songs, but has yet to "tinkle" . . . and BMs, forget about it . . . . My only concern is the preschool issue -- they won't take a 3.5 y/o who's still in Pull-Ups.

[croleRN]

Hi ladies...
I have to just share - that we took DD up to check out her new school yesterday & she was THRILLED!!! Background: she had been just home with me until the beginning of this year; when my work schedule changed from night shift to days. She has been going to a woman's house who watches about 5 other children in her home. DD has been doing wonderfully. (2-3 days/wk) But I really think developmentally she is ready for more. So - we have a family member - sho told us about this new place, b/c she just got her early childhoood educ. degree.
Anyway - the place is very impressive. Healthy lunches, lots of play & exploration areas, she has opportunity to take dance class. Much creative play, but it is a "learning center" - not just daycare. DD loved it so much - she didn't want to leave - even though we had to get DH back to work. She wanted to call all of her family & friends to tell them about her new school!!
Part of me wants her to not go to a "school" - but I reaqlly think she is craving it!

I am a lucky momma - DD was fairly easy to get out of diapers, once she decided she wanted to wear "big girl pants" (about 2.5yr)

She is still co-sleeping: but she needs me or DH to lay down w/ her until she is asleep: AND, wakes up 2-5X thru night to nurse!!!:
(Kinda makes TTC more challenging!!!)

[Yooper]

Dd just turned 3 and we are still awaiting the day that she will sleep through the night. Or at least for more than 1.5 hours at a time. Sigh. I think this is her tactic for ensuring that she remains an only child......