https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:00:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1920205 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:59:19 +0000 Mrs. D 1920205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not looking forward to the threes, but it'll be just a progression from the 2s tantrums I'm sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1919228 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:50:07 +0000 littleveesmommy 1919228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh we are in the midst of threenage shenanigans and it is hard to not lose my patience! I, too, find that transition warnings help and also being firm. There have been too many instances of me giving in to a request and I am definitely paying for it. Bedtimes have been meltdown mania lately and I just want my easy bedtimes back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1918794 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:52:34 +0000 Lindsay05 1918794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I am sorry I have never replied to anyone :( I notice that transition warnings have really really helped out a lot. I even go as far as letting her know the plan for the entire day. Still seeing lots of drama but it's good to know I am not alone out there :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1909307 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:47:53 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1909307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: Yes! Timers. Transition warnings. Always helpful! I *always* have to give a warning about when I'm going to turn off the TV, stop playing, take him upstairs for a nap ... otherwise, things can get ugly fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1909150 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:34:23 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1909150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are in this too. I'm at a loss. I can usually handle the negotiations without losing my patience but the blatant defiance is so hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1909136 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:30:58 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1909136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto @Mrs. Yoyo: on the give an inch they take a mile! They're excellent negotiators and remember everything. Definitely stay as consistent as possible! </p> <p>We use the timer a lot to help her transition from one activity to another. 1,2,3 Magic... and the book/post @Mrs. Bee: referenced above have been really helpful for us. </p> <p>One example of a "consistency fail" - we always set the timer for 5 minutes... and once it beeps her time is up and she needs to move on (whether it be bedtime, dinnertime, bathtime, whatever). Well, one time she asked for "one more minute", and DH obliged. Now, EVERY TIME is "one more minute". Le sigh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1909132 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:29:53 +0000 RLCeigh 1909132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my yes @Mrs. Yoyo! I have a newly turned 3 yr old. A couple Friday nights ago, as a special treat we let him watch an episode of Paw Patrol in our bedroom before he went to his room for books. It was a Friday night. We snuggled as a family. It was so sweet. Even the dog joined us.<br /> And now he asks for a Paw Patrol episode in our bed. Every single night. And when we say no, he freaks out and has a meltdown. Every night.<br /> We were not super clear that it was an exception that one Friday night. Fail!<br /> They are so master negotiators! He asks for chips before dinner. I say no. He says 'so I can have chips after dinner?' Because I'm tired and just want a stress free dinner I say yes, after dinner. And then he has me! If I can have chips after dinner, why not now? I want chips now! So I've learned to just say no and stick with it.<br /> They are tiring! But also really funny- my husband and I crack up how smart he is and the reasoning he uses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1909099 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:19:28 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1909099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One word: consistency. They become master negotiators at this age. Give 'em an inch, they take a mile? That's 3. So I rarely budge on things, or if I do, I am SUPER CLEAR about why and not to expect the same thing next time, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1908971 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:27:38 +0000 Canoli 1908971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are right there too. Bedtime is a nightmare every night and now we are dealing with night wakings more frequently! Curious to hear other suggestions too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1908681 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:10:28 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1908681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the 3's were the hardest year for charlie. the techniques from how to talk so your kids will listen really helped a lot.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/06/26/the-best-parenting-book-ive-ever-read/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/06/26/the-best-parenting-book-ive-ever-read/</a></p> <p>mr. bee was a lot better at it than i was because oh man was my patience tested at times! it's better now in the 4's, but we still deal with residual threenage tantrums. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-explain-the-threenager-stage-to-me#post-1908674 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:05:55 +0000 Lindsay05 1908674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just know this has to be it. DD1 had a phase about a year ago which was similar to terrible two's. Now everything is upside down again from tantrums to eating to sleep. </p> <p>How long did it last? What worked? What didnt work? </p>