The Terrible Threes

Hello Bubba,

 

We have been having an extremely difficult time together lately. It is SO exhausting. I feel that almost every minute of our day spent with you is in disciplining. I want my sweet boy back. Even at school they have noticed the change in you. I have been reading up and it seems pretty typical for Age 3. I guess it is one of the more difficult ages to get through because they you trying to be independent but still need your security at the same time and it is a confusing and hard time. I am lucky if I am going to survive this year! Uggggg. Times like this make me feel like a terrible parent and like you don’t know anything at all!

For instance yesterday as soon as I picked you up you started screaming and running around the room. While I was trying to talk to your teacher you started saying “Mommy my eyes hurt, no my tummy hurts, no my leg hurts” then burst into tears and complete meltdown yelling over and over again “ I want to go to the doctor! Mama, PLEASE take me to the doctor. I need to go! I don’t want you to look at my leg I want the doctor!” And that was our ride home screaming and all the whole way back to the house. Then I started to get really worried thinking you were really hurt. Got home finally got your pants off and there was nothing. No swelling, no marks, you were walking fine. I asked you if you wanted an ice pack. You said yes. Got you an ice pack and popsicle and on couch watching Alice in wonderland (your new favorite) Then you completely stopped, until the minute Daddy walked in the door and you started up again with theatrics of OWIE, OWIE My legs HURT.

 Sigh. Possibly you are having growing pains, but I think more likely you are having some separation anxiety issues. You wanted me to hold you and also this past week you are constantly asking me if I love you. ( I tell you many times a day every day as it is) Then you tell me you doesn’t love me because I take SO long coming to pick you back up from school. L Then at the same time you have been pushing me away…you do not want me to sing your bedtime songs, refusing kisses, will take a hug but no kisses. I don’t know. I guess you are just walking a confusing line of wanting to be independent yet still wanting to be close as well?

 
Anyway, it has been like this for pretty much all year. You flat out refusing to do things, saying NO to everything, crying , fits you name it. No punishments seem to work for very long. Throwing things and hitting….the list goes on. I hope I am not in for a whole year or more of this, but from what I am reading it probably will last for quite some time. UGG… This too shall pass.

No matter what we are going through though, I still love you with all my heart.
XOXOXO
~Mama~