https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 18:08:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499136 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:39:05 +0000 NovBaby1112 2499136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: LOL, mine does the same! so dramatic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499102 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:00:27 +0000 travellingbee 2499102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He just turned 3 and things are a smidge better than they were at 2.5 which was the worst. Things are calmer right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499100 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 06:56:56 +0000 JoJoGirl 2499100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: @Rainbow Sprinkles: Thank you both!! This morning I am recovering from literally 3 straight hours of tantruming last night so appreciate the words :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499094 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 06:51:17 +0000 Adira 2499094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: haha, right? My oldest just turned 3, so... definitely not looking forward to this next year now... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499078 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 06:35:04 +0000 Ms maths 2499078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is making me very nervous. If 3 is harder than 2, we may all just explode from mutual frustration :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2499021 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 02:40:21 +0000 travelgirl1 2499021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NovBaby1112: when I tell her off, her latest thing is to look like I wrecked her world and whisper: "you just hurt my feelings" :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2498740 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 19:43:55 +0000 NovBaby1112 2498740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: lol yessss! </p> <p>3-3.5 has been very, very tough and trying. We seemed be making progress the last month or so but man, I feel like I have a 3 year old going on 13. Defiant. Stubborn. Strong willed. Her latest phrase is "you can't tell me what to do!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2498471 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:45:31 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2498471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I can't believe someone said that to you! My 2nd is also very intelligent--she was speaking in full sentences by 15 months. I love her brilliance and her sense of humor and she's really such a fun kid, but the tantrums are no joke. @Erinpye and I are friends in real life and we talk about this often. My second also had trouble with transitions, certain kinds of sounds, certain clothes, etc. But on top of that, she's mostly just a stubborn little thing. </p> <p>Sounds like you have a pretty extraordinary kiddo on your hands! &lt;3 &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2498332 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:06:22 +0000 erinpye 2498332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: haha mine don't either! Sensory Overexcitability is super common with highly-capable kiddos, and can look a lot like SPD. My kids both have it, and people only familiar with the spectrum, have asked me the same question. It's just less-understood, but it still seems balsy to suggest cognitive impairment! (ETA: being on the spectrum also is common for gifted kids, it's called twice exceptional, abbreviated 2E. So saying cognitively impaired or delayed doesn't even work for kids on the spectrum either!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2498300 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:53:11 +0000 JoJoGirl 2498300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: I think my LO leans toward hyper-intelligent as well, so I don't take it to heart. I think all they heard was "daily tantrums" without any other context for her intelligence/language/behavior etc, and maybe that stood out as a red flag since her kid on the spectrum also has tantrums, trouble with transitions etc. For him it's probably a sensory processing issue. My kid just doesn't like being told what to do ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497837 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:03:00 +0000 erinpye 2497837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: My defiant eldest kid, who had such bad raging, screaming, hours-long meltdowns daily at 2 years old, tested gifted, so no, it's not a sign of cognitive delays in the least, in fact, often quite the opposite. Who on earth would say that to you‽ What the heck‽ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497511 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 08:11:33 +0000 JoJoGirl 2497511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: My LO Is exactly like your second. SO defiant, SO independent, couldn't give two craps about the rules or consequences. I have had people in other mom groups tell me that "throwing multiple tantrums a day" is a sign of behavioral issues or even cognitive delays and I'm like no.... she's just really f'ing stubborn. And brilliant. And stubborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497301 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 21:28:42 +0000 pastemoo 2497301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Newborn to 15 months was worse. Everything since then pales in comparison. I haven't compared 3 to 2 because both were so much better than babyhood. But I think they were pretty similar in difficulty, just changes in what was difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497252 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 20:37:42 +0000 Periwinkle 2497252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO turned 3 in November and it has been really rough since then. The opinions, negotiations, tantrums and general need to have his way has been really, really hard. He's always had a strong personality but someone please tell me this gets better???? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497145 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:14:56 +0000 Mama Bird 2497145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought two was worse. We went through a few months of DS begging me to stay home from work, and I couldn't, and my heart got broken a little more every day. Three is tough too with all the attitude, but it doesn't feel as awful by comparison. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497133 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:01:43 +0000 skipra 2497133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have to agree that it depends on the kid.<br /> LO1 certainly has his moments but overall is very easy. The biggest tantrums we get revolve around leaving somewhere when he is having fun. At 3 I suppose we can reason with him more but not all the time. At 2 I was able to distract him easier with food to get him out. I guess the biggest difference is there can be a bit more attitude and bossing around at 3.<br /> LO2 is not even 2 yet and OMG we are in for it. This kid knows what he wants and flips out when he doesn't get it exactly. I am afraid for 2 and 3! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497126 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:52:08 +0000 erinpye 2497126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 has been way, way worse than 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497046 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 16:24:03 +0000 blackbird 2497046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E turned a corner around 33 months. There are many tears now. She turns 3 next month </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497038 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 16:18:49 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2497038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it really depends on your child. I have heard a lot of people say that 3 is wayyyyyy worse than 2. I hear horror stories of screaming, defiance, spitting, hitting, etc. But we are at the very end of 3 (almost 4) with my oldest and I haven't seen any of this. 3 has been our best, easiest year with her. She isn't a perfect child, by any means, but she has a people-pleasing temperament and enjoys being in good standing with her parents and other authority figures in her life. She has been like this her whole life--she has actually never thrown a tantrum. Ever. She is compliant and very helpful. Our big issues with her are whining and clinginess.</p> <p>Now my second on the other hand is very defiant and independent. She isn't bothered by any sort of discipline and will just say "no" to my face all day long. She holds her ground! She throws multiple tantrums every day and is easily upset. We are just at 2.5, so I don't know if her behavior will get worse or better as she gets older.</p> <p>Just from what I know (I have an almost 4 year old, 2.5 year old, and 6 month old), I think it gets better as they get older. But I may be in for it as my middle child gets older--we will just have to see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2497009 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:58:52 +0000 catlady 2497009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread worries me. She's had her moments, but she's really not all that bad at 2.5. Wondering if the worst is yet to come. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496994 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:52:29 +0000 daniellemybelle 2496994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5 has been pretty hard so I am hoping it doesn't get worse :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496946 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:19:27 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2496946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The last waning days of 2 are ROUGH. 3 is not looking good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496939 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:14:19 +0000 jh524 2496939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: lol. Too funny!</p> <p>My 2.5 year old is a terror right now . Good things to come huh ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496925 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:03:47 +0000 travelgirl1 2496925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are no words in the English dictionary to adequately describe life with a three year old :silly:<br /> Yeah. Definitely three. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496918 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:58:40 +0000 Kimberlybee 2496918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 has been great but she will be 3 soon and is getting more stubborn and difficult lately so I vote 3 being worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496900 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:43:02 +0000 mediagirl 2496900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 was a cake-walk. 3 is impossible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496896 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:41:38 +0000 HLK208 2496896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on the child!</p> <p>LO1 wasn't too difficult during the 2s but was unbelievably challenging during the 3s.</p> <p>LO2 had more tantrums as a 2 year old than 3 year old. She still has her moments but they're less frequent. </p> <p>LO3 isn't even 2 yet but her tantrums are BIG...mostly when we're out of the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496887 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:34:50 +0000 MrsF 2496887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With DD - 2 was relatively easy (she was a very early talker so we could communicate well) and 3 has been much more of a challenge. </p> <p>I'm guessing that DS will have a harder time with the early toddler phase if his verbal skills are a bit delayed. We'll see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496877 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:29:57 +0000 winniebee 2496877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5-3 was the worst for us, but we had a new baby then, not sure if that's why. 3.5+ has been great, actually! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-2-vs-age-3-terrible-twos-or-threenagerwhich-was-worse#post-2496872 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:29:17 +0000 hellobeeboston 2496872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 was great up until about 3 months before 3.... since then it's been TOUGH, but actually now at about 3.5, things are starting to get better. </p>