As we navigate the tumultuous journey of parenting, one question often arises: “What if this behavior persists?” My partner lamented during a recent car ride home, with our three-year-old, Max, expressing his displeasure in a rather vocal manner. “It’s probably just a phase,” I assured myself, albeit with a hint of doubt. As first-time parents, we lacked any frame of reference to determine whether this was merely a transient stage or something more enduring.
What had triggered this transformation in our once sweet toddler? We had successfully navigated through the so-called “terrible twos” without too many hiccups. I had naively anticipated smooth sailing until adolescence. Clearly, the individual who coined the term “terrible twos” must have overlooked the challenges of the third year.
Max displayed typical toddler tantrums at two, but nothing prepared us for the outbursts that erupted a week after his third birthday. During a particularly hectic trip to the store, Max became increasingly restless in the shopping cart, his discomfort escalating with every passing moment. As we approached the checkout line, his agitation reached a boiling point, resulting in an unexpected verbal explosion. To my shock, he yelled, “MOTHER TRUCKER! MOTHER TRUCKER! MOTHER TRUCKER!”
I was momentarily dumbfounded by the inappropriate language spilling from his tiny mouth. “Where on earth did he pick that up?” I wondered, searching for an appropriate response while feeling the eyes of other shoppers upon us. It was then that I noticed the amused grin of the teenage cashier. My instincts as a high school teacher kicked in, and I found myself addressing the cashier sternly. “You think this is amusing? This child is learning that such behavior is acceptable, which is not the lesson we want to impart.”
The incident at the store was only surpassed by the epic showdown with my three-year-old daughter, Lily, over a pair of shoes that simply did not fit. “I WANT THEM! I WANT THEM!” she screamed, throwing herself to the floor in protest. As I attempted to reason with her, time slipped away, and I realized I had forgotten to account for a possible tantrum delay in my morning schedule.
“I CAN DO IT! GET AWAY FROM ME!” she insisted, increasing my frustration. Reaching my limit, I pleaded, “I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FROM ME, LILY! I need to leave for work!” With her kicking and flailing, I managed to wrangle her into the shoes and, ultimately, into the car. The morning was still dark and quiet, and I could only imagine what the neighbors must have thought as I wrestled with a very vocal child.
As I compose this piece, Lily continues to inspire me with her antics. Just moments ago, while jumping on the couch—despite my repeated warnings—she accidentally kicked her dad in the face. As I directed her to the Naughty Spot, she defiantly responded with a spit. My composure was tested as I initiated our 1-2-3 Magic technique to encourage her compliance.
If this is what three looks like, I can only wonder how much more challenging it will become as she grows older. The only remedy I know for this behavior? An impending fourth birthday. As we approach December, I find myself eagerly anticipating the day.
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In summary, parenting a three-year-old can be a rollercoaster of emotions, complete with unexpected outbursts and power struggles. Embracing these challenges with patience and humor can make the journey a bit more bearable.
Keyphrase: Parenting a three-year-old
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