Help - Utica, OH

I have a two year old that has started doing that too. I am not certain how you are responding to him when he starts, but it reminds me to settle down and talk slow and gentle.

Hello S.. I must agree that your 3 y/o is going through alot of changes. Also, if he wasn't use to being around other children, he might be picking up some of the habbits from daycare. I would also wait on the toilet training; you are going through enough with a new baby and sleep deprivation that toilet training might be too much for both of you right now. You little one might also think that he is being left out with the new baby. He might like to help you take care of the baby, my 4 y/o always wants to pick out the baby's clothes. He might feel like a Big Brother if he has a hand in things. Congrats on the new baby and Good Luck!

S.,

With a new baby in the house, don't even bother to try potty training unless your son is interested, which I seriously doubt. Just commit to buying more diapers, and letting him learn when he is ready. My first-born was slow, too, (he's 5 now), and my 3-year-old is not remotely interested. He will us the potty sometimes now when I take him to the bathroom, but still wakes up wet (one of the signs of readiness is morning dryness), and will wander around stinking and tell me "no, no poop!" when I ask. He's just not ready.

Is your son feeling left out? Is he throwing tantrums when he is tired? Mine does. I know you have your hands full, but try to reassure him that he is still special to you. Try to give him what he wants when it is reasonable to do so. Try to ignore some of the minor infractions and tantrums. Try to get him to communicate his frustrations and have a chat about emotions. Give him a pillow it is acceptable to hit as a way to physically resolve his inner turmoil. Overall, though, sometimes there is not much you can do but wait a spell and he'll show new behavior for some reason.

I wish for you lots of patience and love.

K.

He has gone through alot of change lately, so I wouldn't push the potty training right now. My son didn't potty train until he was 3 and half...up until that point it was so stressful to get him to sit or do anything...and that was without any major changes!!! Boys tend to potty train a little late. My pediatricain said if they aren't potty trained between 3 and half and 4 then there is reason for concern. Children often take steps backwards when they are under a lot of stress or a lot of changes have occured, espeically at that age with new sibilings. 2,3,4, and even 5 year olds are known to try sucking on a babies pacifier or even going back to diapers if recently potty trained. They get jealouse and don't know how to show it. The break downs could be related to stress and changes it's also a common thing for the age. My son went through a stage between 2 and half to 3 and half (and every now and then still now that he's 4) where one minute he is as happy as can be and I say just the wrong thing and he breaks down and takes off to his room screaming and crying as if the world is coming to an end...he will sit there and just cry "I just want my mommy. I just want her"...I mean this was over things such as "It's dinner time." They want to be more independent but can't always do it and this causes stress and break down. Just try to get down on his level and talk to him. Try to have him explain to show you in some way what is wrong (if there truely is something wrong.) Best wishes!

My son just turned 4. We occasionally have break downs. I agree with Kathy & will try not to reiterate everything. Give hime some time. Let these new changes soak in before trying potty training. Remember, the harder you push training, the harder he'll push not to. You may even find that after everything else settles, the training will just happen. When ever my son breaks down, I have to stop everything & consider what just happen. He needs some transition time. If he's playing, I have to let him know that in 2 minutes, dinner will be ready or whatever. It works so much better. If he didn't get that time, he gets really upset. We take him out of the room & sit & talk & cuddle & wait for him to calm down. Transition time works great. Good luck & just give him time. By the way, I waited to potty train my son. We started just last Sept. & it only took 3 days for peeing & 2 weeks for pooping. He was 3 1/2.

S.,

I have a son who will soon be 5. He is such a good boy now, but that was definately NOT the case when he was 3. Whoever said "Terrible 2's" was wrong it should be "Terrible 3's" He would throw fits and scream and cry. There were times it was even in public. It took a long time and it was not fun, but with consistent parenting and punishment he will get through it. You need to find the type of punishment that works for you and your son. For us, it was taking away tv time and that seemed to work for him. Also my son was a cinch to potty train because I waited until he was ready, I think that was the key. If your son is not ready it will just make it harder on you.

Good luck!

S.,

More and likley it is all the changes that your soon is going through. You now have a new baby that demands most of your attention, and you are sending him to day care, while he knows you are at home with the baby. You are not wrong to send your child to day care that is not what i am saying... just stay strong, do not pay attention to the fits unless he is hurting someone else, or braking something. This is easier said than done, but if you give in to the fits he will do that every time he dosent get his way.
Potty trainning will come when he is ready, and you can not forrce this issue.

Hi S.!
I am a mom to three boys (14, 8, and 6). All three of my kids went through the "screamer" stage (as I like to call it...lol)...although my youngest had it the worst and still throws all out temper tantrums when he is tired, hungry and frustrated. My best guess is that he has witnessed other "screamers" at day care and has adopted this behavior as his own. How I have always handled it is by remaining calm, and trying my darndest not to give in to the demand....if it is unreasonable. I am the first to admit that it is very, very hard to remain calm. Especially with three small children I am guessing you are probably pretty tired and frustrated yourself!!! Sometimes, if the screaming goes on for a long time (more than a few minutes) I tell my son (who is older) that he can keep yelling and stomping his feet, but he has to do it in his room, because he is disturbing everyone else. Sometimes he will storm to his room and sometimes he just stops. At 3, sometimes distraction goes a long way to soothing a savage beast :)

Good luck!
K.