Reply #65: I guess I should say 3 year olds act like assholes [View All]

[eilen]

They are controlling, bossy, throw tantrums, don't do as they're told, are narcissistic, are physically threatening when they don't get their way-- basically it is developmental.

There are two popular ways of dealing with them.

1. is to laugh every time they do something inappropriate, thus encouraging their aggressive behavior, succor them during tantrums and give in to their demands and then ignore their screaming, biting and throwing things.

2. is to give them limits, remove them from the stimulating environment and audience and put them to bed/in their room until they regain control and are ready to apologize to you for the absolutely disgraceful scene they made and institute time out (sitting facing the wall) and removal of everything until they behave. Keep them on a schedule with a consistent nap and bedtime and don't expect them to tolerate multi errand runs.

The parents who do number 1 most of the time--their children act the most outrageously, and progress to be a source of disruption and chaos on school buses and classrooms. No one likes to be around them.

If you have a child who tends to wander when you have to deal with stuff like bills, I suggest a wrist leash. My friend with the well behaved kids used hers with good effect at rest stops when she had two little energetic boys on her own traveling across the country in her car as well as at public events like fairs.

I have a nephew, who at 10, can't even be tolerated in a regular classroom because of the his heightened sense of preciousness.

I feel for the parents of autistic children. I don't think it is okay though for one to destroy a merchandise display in someone's business. Perhaps another adult who knew her could have taken her aside and entertained her.