Is This a Stage My 3 Year Old Is Going Through?

Hi there C.,

Does your daughter know that you and your husband are trying to have another child? If so, this could be part of the issue. You daughter may be feeling confused and need a little more attention. I'm not sure of any conversations you or your husband have had with your daughter; but maybe a little role play and positive reinforcement would be good. Try emphasizing what a great big sister she'll be and, if possible, include her in the conversation. Can you help think of a boy/girl name? What colors would you like the room to be? Also, remind her how helpful she is; and how great it is that you can have a conversation with her. It may take a little time; but I'm sure your daughter will soon realize that she's still every bit loved and adored. I'm also in the Round Rock area. If you'd like a playdate with children closer to your daughter's age give me a shout. My daughter is 3.5 yrs. My email address is ____@____.com

Best of luck!
A.

My son is 3, very verbally adept beyond the norm for his age according to the pediatrician and has been doing the same thing occaisionally. I assumed it was because I have a 15 month old as well who mostly communicates through grunts and points. When my older son does it I tell him one of two things: 1) I pretend I don't know what he wants and say "Mama doesn't know what you want, please use your words so I can get you what you need" or 2) "You know, Mama loves that unlike your brother you can tell me what you want. I really love the fact that you are such a big boy and can use words. It gets frustrating that I can't tell what your brother wants." Usually he will grunt a point a couple of times more then succumb to words.

My guess is it is a phase and they'll grow out of it.

This is just a normal phase three's go through as they learn empathy for others by pretending to be others.....often pretending to be a baby is one of the things they do to learn to empathize with babies and thereby learn to be gentler with smaller people. It's annoying sometimes but it is normal and necessary for her developmental growth. Playing along with her will help her work through what she needs to learn from the play and will help her move on to another "pretend" situation.

Good Luck!
L.

Hi C.,
My 3 year old son did this for a while too. He just likes to pretend. It drove me crazy though and when he did it I told him that I couldn't understand him and wouldn't grant any of his requests until he talked like the big boy that he was. Also, I told him that if he wanted to play babies he could go do that in his room. When it was really driving me nuts and he continued with it, I told him if he wanted to be a baby then he'd have to do baby things like taking more naps. He didn't want to do that so he quit (for the time being.) Now he doesn't do it at all anymore, except occassionally with his big brother and sister if they are playing house and he's the baby in their game. My thought is that your daughter is going through a phase as well.