Age three can get a bad rap.
Terms like ‘threenager’ are thrown around between moms at parks, online forums, and blogs. And rightfully so. Three can be a tough age. I’ve seen it myself.
But not with my boys.
Ok, hold on. They have (/had) their moments at three, that is for sure, but let’s back up a bit here.
My boys were certifiably insane from about one year to turning three years old. To prove my point I often had people, sometimes randoms, ask me ‘are you OK?’ ‘do you ever sit down?’ ‘how many stitches?’ ‘he fell in the pool again?’
Yes, he did. They both have. And no, I’m not ok.
I feel it can be best summed up this way: All my boys wanted to do from the time they were babies was to run around in the yard by themselves. And that can’t happen at one. Neither of them were even walking at one so they were just… mad. Not content. Then when they were two and running around like insane wild things, they of course had to be supervised (no B, you can’t blindly run into the road. No L, you can’t run out into the middle of the 18th green of a golf course), and that made them even more upset.
They wanted to run, play, climb… exist, without mom.
L was different in the sense that he wanted all these things but also had zero attachment issues to me. B wanted all these things but also spent most of his time also trying to figure out how to re enter the womb. Needless to say, it was a very frustrating mix for both of us. He wanted to be independent of me but didn’t know how, like many two year olds. He also had an over the top experience with teething, which didn’t help things at all.
Reasoning is also huge, huge. Traveling with them when they were 18 months on a plane? Scary. They didn’t get it. You can’t get out of your seat because WE ARE ON A PLANE. But you don’t get that.
At three, they might still want to run around on the plane, but they understand they can’t. Here, watch a movie. Life changing.
At three most baby things are gone. Hallelujah. Bottles, pacifiers, cribs, diapers (ok, ok, we are working on it!), even strollers. We are in ‘big kid’ mode, and I love every minute of it. Yes the cuddly new born stage is endearing and nothing beats the chub of a 6 month old, but honestly? I thrive as a mom at age 3+.
So if you’re a mom worried about the bad rap three can get, I’m here to give you hope. If age one and two were tough, maybe three will be your turning point. And hey, I’ve found that it only continues to get better and better, because you know what? There is pretty much nothing more awesome than an eight year old son. Except for maybe a nine year old one. 😉
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Courtney
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Miss you guys! See you Sunday.
For me, with both of my boys, three was tough, but it was NOTHING compared to four. Hold on because it gets worse.
Sorry to hear that! Every kid is different, I’m sure. But once my boys hit three they kept getting better and better. Not perfect by any means, but manageable 🙂
My son was great at age 3. He had some medical issues, but other than that he was SO easy to deal with! My daughter, on the other hand, was a threenager.
Haha it’s crazy how much energy they have! You’d think they believe they’re invincible at those ages. It does get better and better though!
Liz Mays recently posted…Dating While Weird: Keeping Your Sparkle
Twitter: TracisStar
says:
I am with you. I actually loved three with both of my kids. Now four is a different story… just kidding.
🙂
Traci
Star Traci recently posted…Friday Fragments #16
I thought 3 wasn’t bad, but my son is a few weeks away from being 4 and it’s a nightmare! I hope this stage is short – not sure I can handle much more.
chastity recently posted…California Dreaming
I thought three was fun. Ah, I thought every age was fun, hahahaa I still do. 🙂
Twitter: charminglyuncmp
says:
Cracking up at “re-enter the womb”. I totally agree that in some ways 3 is so awesome – they’re more independent and like having a real person around to hang out with and leaving the house with just your child and not an arsenal of STUFF is so freeing! In others…omg. The term “threenager” most definitely exists for a reason. The attitude is UNBELIEVABLE. Even the vocal inflection on J – its like fighting with a 15 year old. Choosing to falsely put hope in the idea that she’s getting it out of her system now!
My daughter was a total Threenager. Tantrums and attitude. LOL! I hoping it will be a different story with my son, now just 9 months old. Thanks for giving me hope!
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Twitter: citywhit
says:
I thought twos were the terrible ones! I don’t remember my siblings being age three, but I’m glad to hear your boys are great at three.
Whitney recently posted…What’s Next? I’m Going to Germany!
I miss my ten year old when he was three! My daughter just turned one so I have a little while to go before she gets there but I think 3 is such a fun age!
Dawn Nieves recently posted…Dear Sofia Letter Writing Party – Write to Sofia the First & She’ll Write Back
Twitter: bonbonrosegirls
says:
I’m jealous! Two was cake…Three not so much. Haha! Terrible threes. At least they’re cute! 🙂
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Twitter: JenniferBorget
says:
I’ve recently come to realize I was focusing too much on the past and missing when my kiddos were younger. I agree though, three is a really fun age! So glad you’re enjoying it!
Jennifer aka Baby Making Mama recently posted…Life is Messy But So Beautiful
Twitter: MamaAsh77
says:
I can’t wait ’til my twins get out of the 2 phase and age.
{Erica}EverythingMomandBaby recently posted…PC Streusel-Topped Sweet Potato Bake Recipe #Thanksgiving with @PresChoice
Twitter: taylorbrione
says:
Kids are so precious!
Taylor Brione recently posted…Athleta & Derek Lam Collaboration Charity Fashion Show
Twitter: nyctechmommy
says:
Love this! Three is my favorite age. Its when they suddenly turn into these little people. Such a fun time and yeah 4 (and everything beyond it!) gets even better 😉
NYCTechMommy recently posted…MomCo Helps Moms Find Everything They Need
It’s truly challenging dealing with young kids. Thankfully they do grow up and out of certain stages. We just have to hang on till the next birthday. LOL
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Love this post, so true on three for me as well, my boys were a joy and it keeps getting better, but the 8 year old attitude is something unexpected to me, one minute sweet the other independent/ bossy.
Right? Why is my 9 year old mean to me. Rude!