Up until a couple of weeks ago, my 3 year old son was energetic but normal energetic. In these past few days, I feel like has been CRAZY. He literally is jumping on couches to get the energy out and he is hitting pillows and yelling and punching air!! He has full days at preschool like he always has and I took him to the park to have him run around on the weekends and his energy level is still through the roof. The change is marked and I'm just wondering if this is normal. Plus, he's become a lot more bratty and moody. I used to say No and he wouldn't be happy but he'd be OK and now he gets all whiny if he doesn't get what he wants and I can't distract him anymore like I used to. One little thing goes wrong and he's pouting and will not let himself feel better. Is this all normal and how come the change has happened all of a sudden?? argh. please any insight. thanks!
Thanks all. I'm going to ask his teachers if he's really napping at school or just lying down. I noticed he has been trying to lose his naps and might be overtired. Or maybe its just the testosterone. lol. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try them all!
Has he had a major change in his diet?
It sounds like he may just need an outlet for his energy. But if this is a sudden change I would be looking at his diet, his activity level at school, any new people in his life.
Is he overtired? I ask because when my 3 yo is overtired he is super hyper and has more tantrums than usual. We have been putting him to bed 1/2 hour earlier and it has made a big difference. He is sleeping longer, easier to put down to bed and doesn't have as many outbursts.
He sounds over stimulated and/or over tired. Maybe try to move up his bedtime by 15-30 minutes...
Is his diet any different? I'd experiment with the food you feed him (start a food diary) and see if something he is eating might be the culprit. It might be hard to ascertain, but I'd really try this.
Did he give up naps? I agree with Julie to start putting him to bed earlier.
If his pouting turns into tantruming, make sure you put him in his room and don't give into tantrums.
Good luck,
Dawn
You described my son at that age - we are coming out of it (he'll be 5 in March). I think they are testing boundaries (differently than my daughter did, and she did too!). Much more physical. Try to spend some quality time with him. I found he was starving for attention as well.... a little clingy and spending time focused w/ him on his choice of game (whatever that is - yes I've played batman and robin....) helped immensely. I think it's totally normal. Be calm and consistent in boundaries and try to acknowledge his feelings. If he hits something, say "I see that you are frustrated. What is making you feel that way?" Hang in there Mom...
Updated
You described my son at that age - we are coming out of it (he'll be 5 in March). I think they are testing boundaries (differently than my daughter did, and she did too!). Much more physical. Try to spend some quality time with him. I found he was starving for attention as well.... a little clingy and spending time focused w/ him on his choice of game (whatever that is - yes I've played batman and robin....) helped immensely. I think it's totally normal. Be calm and consistent in boundaries and try to acknowledge his feelings. If he hits something, say "I see that you are frustrated. What is making you feel that way?" Hang in there Mom...
could be a growth spurt, could be a million environmental changes...
as kids grow, we get comfortable where they are and forget they are not static. what worked a week ago suddenly doesn't work anymore.
make sure you are still expecting good behavior and crack down if it's not happening. sometimes kids just push the envelope. he's not a baby anymore. very often i found myself getting lax in the discipline department because my son was just being "such a good kid". around that time was usually when a developmental milestone happened and all of a sudden we had to re-evaluate our tactics and get back in the trenches. they are right when they say a mother's job is never done! lol!
Yeah, that 3 year old stuff lasts about 2 years. They get a burst of testosterone around this age. This is where the rubber meets the road in parenting. Up until now, he has been a baby an while that is physically taxing, now it will take all your skills to see to his needs and provide stability and consistency while constantly questioning yourself and his environment.
You sound like you are providing opportunities for burning off energy. Maybe more rest would be in order. Sorry, this is a time of trying statigies one at a time and holding on for dear life! Decide if something really matters to you. If it matters then enforce it like it matters with disapline that gets his attention and is consistant. If not, ignore. Natural consequences are best. You need support for such a stressful time in life. If there is a male in your life, use their assistance. Use this site, a lot! Talk to other moms. You can do this!
Sounds pretty normal.
Just needing to get some energy out.
Maybe he's going through a growth spurt.
He can, also, be tired from his full days at preschool.
Hang in there & go "with" it instead of trying to swim upstream.
:)
Any new medications? Especially allergy meds can do this.
Normal. Sounds like he is going through a growth spurt. My little guys do this when they are growing. Hang in there!
Whoever coined the term "terrible twos" is an idiot. Three is by far the worst. After 4 is when they settle down. :)
