*WARNING: gripe/prayer request/complaint ahead*

My son is now 3.5. Every year around this time something has happened. 1.5, 2.5 and now 3.5 - it's the attitude. I knew it was coming...I braced myself, but I didn't know what I was bracing for.

He just seems so disobedient - UGH!!! I discipline, I take things away, I have a serious conversation, I yell - NOTHING IS WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sadashamed]

I've read/heard that there's something about that 'half' mark where things are difficult. I have seen it in mine too...some more so than others, and some times more so than others, but, you know ;)

Weird.

I guess there's just a LOT going on at that time as they adjust and grow huh?

Just keep hangin' in there girl. You know the consistency will pull you through.....eventually. :)

I agree. I didn't see this with my dd but i'm seeing it with my ds. He turned 2.5 and "Hello disobedience"! It almost seemed like a night and day affect how his attitude changed. But like Tara mentioned, consistency will pay off. Just keep on going mama, you are doing great!:)

I didn't notice it on the halfway mark, but I did notice it about once a year he would go through a couple weeks of testing. Just trying to get away with everything he wasn't suppose to do. And some days it seemed like all I did was send him to time out or give him spankings. Luckily he was a quick learner ;). This too shall pass, just keep on doing what you're doing and soon he'll be back to normal lol. I know that is really frustrating though. (((hugs)))

It is because kids go through stages where their equilibrium is off. The phases of disequilibrium hit during the half years up until 7 when it changes again. Just a part of growing up. Frustrating for moms but even more so for the little ones. They are just as frustrated as we are.

I can sympathize with you as my oldest is 3.5 and right now it seems like she deliberately is trying to push my buttons. Hang in there and stay consistent. You're doing a great job.

Ditto! My DD was born 2 months before your DS and I deal with the same thing...almost daily! She has this new thing and I just want to scream! Last night on the way home from Preschool she got mad at me because I wouldn't change the CD to what she wanted to listen to so she crossed her arms and said...get this..."Fine! I don't want you to be my mom anymore!" Girl, I almost pulled the car over!

I told her that that was fine and that she would go home and sit in timeout until she had come up with a GOOD apology for deliberately saying such mean and hurtful things.

Lord, give me strength!

I agree. I didn't see this with my dd but i'm seeing it with my ds. He turned 2.5 and "Hello disobedience"! It almost seemed like a night and day affect how his attitude changed. But like Tara mentioned, consistency will pay off. Just keep on going mama, you are doing great!:)

Ditto that at our house, although reverse the genders. I didn't see it with ds but am in the middle of it with dd! Eek!

I am so feeling your pain. My dd will be 4 in Feb so she is a little over the 1/2 mark, but yesterday I cried several times because I was at my whits end. She must have gotten 7-10 spankings, time out 2 times, sent to her room 2-3 times, took away her babies and then the blocks for the night. It was a great day let me tell you. I don't know what to do. I can not find a discipline that works. She seems so angry and hateful at times. But then she can be the sweetest little girl. I also read something about the 1/2 mark, but I think the time change still has Rylee messed up. I don't know what to tell you but I def know how you feel- so you are not alone. Rylee is strong willed anyway so even on really good days she is a challenge! Hopefully it all will pass real real soon.

My 5 year old goes through this quarterly, LOL! She just likes to be defiant and disobedient. I swear she enjoys discipline! The child has inherited my mil's need for drama! It drives me batty!

Well, wow! I'm sorry you all are going through the same thing, :???: but I'm comforted to know that I'm not alone! [clapping]

Thanks for the encouragement! Esther didn't post here, but I remember that she prays with her dd after a discipline, so we did that yesterday. I sat him down and told him why I was so frustrated. I spelled out what the discipline was going to be for direct disobedience and that he would not get 'another chance'. Then I told him he needed to apologize to me and pray and ask God to forgive him and help him remember to obey. --sigh-- The rest of the day was ok. We'll see about today!