Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

My 3 year old DS has been really pushing my buttons lately. He doesn't want to listen to anything. Pushes back on everything. Hits us. I totally lost it this morning getting him ready for camp. He's too big for me to just pick up. Like screaming like lunatic. I couldn't believe myself. I felt terrible after. But he wouldn't let me change him and there was literally poop everywhere, it was bad. I just lost it. I couldn't believe. I know I need to learn to stay calm but it's been so hard lately. I'm starting to think I may be ruining him with all the yelling. Now I just feel terrible.

Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

Yup sounds like me and I have a 3 yr old son too. I am praying it is the age although my dd never acted how he does. I can handle the worst behaved students in my high school but not my 3 yr old. Oh and then he tells me how beautiful I am and I automatically become his ***** hahah. He has me wrapped

Re: Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

im in the same boat! DS is 3 and does not listen...and he lies. Its an awesome combination
DD (who is 4) recently started being a bad listeniner and when I recently asked her why, she said it is bc her brother is too.
I find my self very often losing my patience and yelling...lots of yelling. I take a step back now. When something happens (assuming no one is hurt), I wait a minute to respond. Then i try to do it while speaking to them instead of yelling at them.
it is not easy - and I do yell still but just wait a minute before you react
good luck - i hope it gets easier for us both!

Re: Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

3 was the hardest year here by far

They were like twin demons. I needed a exorcist and a bottle of liquor

They test limits every second
Hang in there!!!

Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

Thanks everyone. I still feel awful about earlier. Been bothering me all morning. It's been a stressful week for me and I need to hold it together with him. I guess I need more positive reinforcement. I feel like all I do is say 'no' but it's not like he's doing anything good lol.

Re: Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. I lost it on DS yesterday too. Its the age and they just push the limits. I felt awful. But after we did the bedtime routine, I apologized and told him what made me so angry. He seemed to understand and at the same time I felt better that I saw he wasn't upset. He gave me a big hug and kiss and I said there's my big boy! No harm no foul. I'm trying to keep calm but sometimes its hard.

Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

My mom was a HUGE yeller and all 5 of her kids turned out great! Don't be too hard on yourself.

I have a 3 year old and there are definitely some rough days. I find reminding him to be a good listener works for him as does positive reinforcement - stickers are a life saver!

Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

Me! DD is smack dab in the middle of the terrible two's. She doesn't listen, is starting to lie, says everything is an "accident" even when clearly done on purpose, doesn't fear any kind of consequence to her behavior (we've tried yelling, tried ignoring, tried time outs, tried taking things away, tried counting to three.....) and is just generally uncooperative with everything from getting dressed in the morning to letting me buckle her in her car seat. There were a few instances this past week when my initial reaction was to smack/spank her. In those heated moments, I close my eyes for a few seconds, take some deep breaths and say to myself "This is just a phase. It will pass."

Re: Anyone else have trouble staying calm?

My 3 year old son is the SAME WAY!!! Add to it stomping around the house, banging his fists down...just seems "angry". Goes from that to "I love you Mommy"...I swear he has multiple personalities!!!