[gabysmom617]

And I thought maybe the fact that the child was my own might have made a difference, but so far it hasn't. I'm still the boring, hum-drum, easily-annoyed person with my own kid as I am with kids that are not my own. This is a hard age for me (3 1/2). I'm good with babies. I'm good with about 5/6 on up. I hope I can make it until then. Meanwhile, a new baby brother is not making this easier on my 3yo.

 

[tm2840]

No advice, but 3 1/2 was a crummy time for me as a mom too. That's when my second child was born also - correlation, causality or coincidence?<br><br>
Actually, I've had a few "crummy times," in the last nine years and (on my good days) think we'll make it through those too. Hang in there - and remember that even just being AWARE of your less-strong areas can be helpful.

 

[sbgrace]

My hubby isn't a preschool person either. He felt the Playful Parenting book by Cohen helped him a lot.<br>
Really though kids think you're interesting if you just get down on the floor, focus on them, and follow their lead in play (pretend enthusiasm as needed). You might also create little rituals with just the preschooler and you. They can be quick worked into the day--wake up ritual of a song or saying and hug, a special time of cuddles and books when the baby goes down for a nap, etc.

 

[lucyem]

I am right there with you. My 3 1/2 yr old has us at the end of all patience. I have starting having to duct tape the gates closed to keep him in the living room. We are moving (not exactly a stress free time of life right now) and I swear I get more done in 20 minutes at night when he is asleep then I get done in 3 hours with him. While sometimes it is easy to sit down and play but he can get into moods where that does not even work. I thought the putting the kid in the car to take a nap routine was over. Now it is put the kid in the car to get 20 minutes of stress free time. Well stress free now that he can no longer unbuckle his car seat. My DH keeps reminding me our first DS was like this at this age. Kind of like a last hurrah of toddlerhood. I do not remember much from that period of time. My second had just been born and had so many issues that all I remember was the lack of sleep and food.

 

[gabysmom617]

It's nice to know that I'm not alone. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
My child is a very easy going kid. He just seems so bored all the time and so eager to go somewhere else to be with anyone else. He seems so miserable when he is here at home with me. Even when I take him somewhere to play, he still seems miserable unless he is with some one else. It's very difficult to describe. I know it's because the people he visits (relatives) make an effort to play with him, preschool style, and it's hard for me to do that. I make sure I kiss on him and hug him and take him places and discover the park with him, sit on the ground with him to collect leaves, etc. But to actually get on the floor and play with him in sing-song manner with fake enthusiasm over stuff (i.e. like in Barney or Dora the Explorer manner) is like torture to me. I feel like banging my head on the wall. I"m just not an extra verbal person anyway. I've always been quiet.<br><br>
I know that sounds horrible. But that's what he likes. And it is SO not me.

 

[yentroc]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>gabysmom617</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/12574741"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">It's nice to know that I'm not alone. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
My child is a very easy going kid. He just seems so bored all the time and so eager to go somewhere else to be with anyone else. He seems so miserable when he is here at home with me. Even when I take him somewhere to play, he still seems miserable unless he is with some one else. It's very difficult to describe. I know it's because the people he visits (relatives) make an effort to play with him, preschool style, and it's hard for me to do that. I make sure I kiss on him and hug him and take him places and discover the park with him, sit on the ground with him to collect leaves, etc. But to actually get on the floor and play with him in sing-song manner with fake enthusiasm over stuff (i.e. like in Barney or Dora the Explorer manner) is like torture to me. I feel like banging my head on the wall. I"m just not an extra verbal person anyway. I've always been quiet.<br><br>
I know that sounds horrible. But that's what he likes. And it is SO not me.</div>
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I could have written this post. I came on here looking for other 3.5 yr old threads b/c I'm just having such a difficult time these days. My dd is also an easy going child but some things lately are leaving me so frustrated.<br><br>
My dd is also VERY attached to me right now but at the same time wants nothing to do with me and has a "But MOMMY!" response to everything I ask her to do. It's a strange combination. My mom is living with us right now and dd would much rather play with her (because she PLAYS, I can only play like that for part of the day because it drives me crazy and I get nothing done). I was gone most of this weekend and she was so distraught without me, but yet as soon as I came home she wanted nothing to do with me and I couldn't pry her away from my mom.<br><br>
Anyway, I'm not especially enjoying 3.5. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> How do you feel like this and continue feeling connected to your 3.5 year old?