Us: "Micah, go put your toys away"
Him: "No, YOU go put your toys away!"
Us: "Micah, eat your dinner"
Him: "No, YOU eat your dinner!"
Us: "Micah, it's time to go potty now"
Him: "YOU go potty!"
Us: "Micah, we love you"
Him: "No love me!"
This has been a challenging week. It's like he woke up one morning and decided to be difficult. He is fighting us on every single thing - not taking his naps, not eating dinner, not going to the bathroom, etc... We are not sure what's going on with him. Today I mentioned it to a friend and she said that maybe because he has a new authority in his life (his new preschool teacher), he might be wanting to be in control of these certain areas. He does like school, so I'm not positive that's it, but she could be on to something. Today we spent about 15 minutes in a face-off with him as he threw a tantrum and refused to do every single thing we said. After it was over, we were sweating and exhausted. We asked ourselves "did we go wrong somewhere?" and "what happened to our easy baby?" For us, the "three's" have been a little harder than the "two's" - or maybe I've just blocked those memories out of my mind :)
It is hard to know what is and isn't normal, because we rarely see other kids at their worst. Thankfully he is not like this all the time, but it is a glimpse of what life could be like at its worst. We are just trying to do the best we can, pray tons, and read up on some good discipline books. We hope next week will be better!
Challenging! We've been there too - they are always learning new boundaries, and now that he's talking more your hearing more of it :) fun times!
ReplyDeleteOur favorite parenting info is here:
http://www.parentingministry.org/
we used it in our church and can see the difference in kids.
Oh hang in there. We just had a challenging weekend with Abby. Everything is "No!" or "I don't want to!"
ReplyDeleteWe find that when she does these tests that she is usually growing physically and emotionally. I try to extend her extra grace but also put my foot down with time outs and lots of talks.
And 3 was far more difficult than 2. Hang in there.
haha wow does that sound familiar!!
ReplyDeleteMy son turned 3 July 1st and I swear something snapped in his brain and caused him to be VERY disagreeable at times with us as well as overly independant!! Helping him close a door, or go potty or ANYTHING usually ends with him saying; "NO!! Me do yit!" (I think yit is a pretty cool word though, at least I get a laugh out of it! haha) With your son, I think he's just learning how to manage his emotions with testing his will etc. He has to learn it! We all did at some point & time. It's how we grow and change into respectful adults someday. =)
Anyway, don't despair! It tis only a stage, we have our days as well (believe me) but it's something you will be able to manage just fine I think with a little discipline (For us, it's time-outs and the corner! ..works everytime! :)
The "3's" are way different then the "2's" I agree w/you there!! But we're helping shape the lives of these little guys, something I always keep in mind when I'm about to lose it! haha