The Terrible 3's

What happens to little boys when they turn 3? It's like a light switch filps and their personalities go haywire! I was starting to get really excited that I was going to have at least have one child who did not throw temper tantrums. Hannah was the queen of fits starting at age 18 months and lasting until about 3 1/2. Luke just starting throwing tantrums and they are always over silly things like wanting to pour his own medicine or putting on his shoes when he obviously needs help and it's time to go.

Let's take this morning for example...we were going thru our normal school/work day routine. It's 7 am Hannah is dressed and eating breakfast...Luke has just woken up and is trying to figure out what he wants to do next. He starts making demands, "I want a drumstick." I respond, "No we only get dessert after dinner if we eat our vegetables." He screams, "I want ice cream." Again, we respond, "No, Luke...not in the morning." He says, "It's not morning time, it's night time!!!" We try the ignoring method. A few seconds later he decides to try a different approach, "I want crafts!!!" I say, "No, we have to get ready for the day, you have school." Then another scream, "I want a cookie!" Okay, so I figure maybe this kid needs some food. Daddy goes to get the Cheerios and makes a comment about it being a new box. He proceeds to open the box. Luke starts screaming, "I want to open it!" Then Daddy makes big mistake and opens one side of the box. Luke goes bonkos...crying, whining..you would have thought his dog died. Now once this usually even tempered red-head gets worked up, it is almost impossible to get him to calm down. A lot like that first 6 months of riding in the car (he hated his infant car seat). Anywhoo....I could tell this was going to be a battle of the wills between father and son. I knew the feeling exactly...thinking to myself, "Ok...this is stupid...he's a toddler....if I say "no" that should be it." As a parent we have to chose our battles wisely. As I was holding my 32 lb boy, I tried to emphasize and said, "Luke, do you want to open the box?" Phew...he calms a little and says yes,. I said, "As soon as you stop crying, you can open the box." Then I give Michael that look to go get the other new box of Cheerios (we had 2 apparently). It's sort of cheating b/c Luke saw this whole thing play out and knew he was going to get his way, but by the time Michael came out with the other box he was calm ready to show his independence. This is my theory...Luke makes up his mind that he wants something, when we say "no" he asks for something else only again to be told, "no". This must be frustrating to keep being turned down and eventually his fuse gets blown and the tantrum begins - only it's never about the original request.

Yesterday was a great day - no fits, no resisting nap time, easy mealtimes...parenting was fun and I felt like all was right in the world. I'm just trying to keep in mind that this is the age where every day is different and you take the bad with the good and enjoy every moment you can. Needless to say, I'm ready for this "phase" to be over...BUT I'm afraid we have a ways to go. :)