3 Year Old Suddenly Throwing Crazy Tantrums!!??

Updated on August 09, 2011
J.T. asks from Mesa, AZ
5 answers

My daughter just turned 3 in July. She has always had a VERY strong personality and of course along with that comes a temper and being stubborn and all that. She's a super happy kid and very loving and playful but all of a sudden it's like shes doing this weird fake crying about EVERYTHING and she's really selfish with her toys and just like being the definition of brat!! We had a really rought month or two when she was 2 1/2 and I thought maybe we'd made it through but it's like a mega relapse!!!! Does anyone else have this problem?

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C.A.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds like she needs some bedroom time. I would say Uh Oh looks like you need a little bedroom time and take her by the hand and put her in her room. Ask if she wants the door open or closed? Give her ten seconds to decide and if she does not answer then tell her that you made the decision for her. Door closed. If she throws a tantrum then let her throw it as long as she does. Then when she is calm tell her the timer starts for three minutes. If she starts acting up again before the timer goes off then time starts over.

Always make sure that her room is safe from any dangers before putting her in there in case she goes crazy and throws things. Most of the time, the kids will calm down the second or third time of going to their room. And, eventually all you have to say is Uh Oh and the child will stop throwing the fit because they will not want to go their room.

2 moms found this helpful

D.D.

answers from New York on

It's just a stage. At 3 they know how to do lots of things but aren't really able to do everything they want. Add in that they can talk a lot but sometimes can't find the words to express how they feel. So instead they just throw a HUGE fit.

You are the mommy so it's up to you to step in and give the words to her feeling while letting her know that what she's doing is not ok.

And remember that when she gets out of this phase she'll be into something more annoying. lol

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

It is her age.
"Emotions" at this age, is NOT even fully developed yet. Nor does the child even know how they feel, nor how to say it, nor how to make sense of abstract or conflicting feelings, at this age.
It is "skills" taught to them, over time.
So that, when they are older, they can learn to cope with difficulty and icky feelings. Hence they also need to learn "coping-skills", which a child does not know yet, developmentally nor automatically.
These things, ALL have to be taught, to a child.

ALSO, when over-tired, a 3 year old can be this way.
Or when they are hungry.
So know your child's cues... for these occurrences.

3 years old, is MUCH harder, than 2 years old.
2 years old, is nothing.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

Sounds familiar, I went through this right when my son turned 3 in June and around 2-2 1/2. It's better now although there are still days. For my son, his mood is the best when he's eaten well and taken a nap. I know lots of 3 year old's have given up their nap but mine still needs it or he really breaks down by 3PM. Several people have highly recommended the book, "1-2-3 Magic" to me. I'm planning to read it soon.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Seattle on

Young three year olds are often much more difficult than two year olds. This is pretty normal. Experiment with discipline techniques that work well for you. I like the "Parenting with Love and Logic" series, myself. Whatever you choose, be consistent with her and be gentle on yourself. This is very, very normal.

Good luck!

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