Whenever I hear people talk about the ‘terrible twos’ I laugh, mostly out loud and mostly at them. Because then they hit three and they realise that two was freaking cake.
And maybe because I had just had Piper when Riley turned three. Or maybe it was just three. But three was rough. Over the top meltdowns, rabid animal-style yelling, and the surge of independence but not the ability to do anything quickly ever. There were things I loved about three, like no nappies and no potty. And the huge language explosion. And watching her personality grow and change and emerge. Sometimes she would try something on her little personality to see how it fit and after awhile it would disappear but sometimes whatever she was trying on would stick too. And there it would stay. But I won’t lie. Alot of it was hard as well.
I occasionally took to Twitter to get people to assure me that it would get better and that three wasn’t forever. Twitter was less than reassuring. I even heard a few people scoffing at me like I did to people babbling about two year olds. Just wait until 4 they were saying. And I trembled in my boots. Because honestly I didn’t see a way it could get much more challenging than it already was. Oh I’m sure it could have, but that’s how it felt.
And sure we are only a few weeks in to four. This might be the honeymoon phase. But so far? I love four. Four is fun. All the great things about three with a whole lot less of the drama. And so far the most remarkable thing about four is just how relaxing it is.
And the best part? Three year age gap between my girls so I don’t have to do three again for another two years.
I found four challenging, but so much fun. Four was full of conversations and discussion and play and personality. There were periods where I wanted to stab my own eyes out, but I think that’s parenting in general.
Five though, (well, five and a half) is attitude-y. But still so much personality and opinion! Also, spirit.
I have a recently turned four year old too. I struggled with 3 and wondered if there was a boarding school for toddlers. But 4 is nice so far. Definitely more conversations. Still hilarious, still fiercely independent, but more able to do those things he insists on doing himself, so less drama is right!
I forgot to add, STUNNING photo. She looks totally full of energy and happiness.
I remember vividly how much three hurt with my older one. But I don’t remember much about four. Five has been quite tough with number two son, as his stubbornness and diva-ness reaches new peaks daily.
I still wonder what all the fuss about the Terrible Twos is about. They were quite easy, both times.
I’m glad you’re enjoying four
I have found the odd number ages much harder than the even number ages. I don’t know why that is, but that is the way it goes in our family.
OMG 3 was horrible both times in our household, as if they had been possessed. I am not a believer of terrible-two’s now either. Well done on surviving.
I’m still having a hard time adjusting to having an almost-one year-old who finally doesn’t want to be a koala baby for twenty hours a day (maybe just fifteen now!), and who sometimes intentionally crawls just out of my line of sight to play by herself, which is amazing considering recent clinginess. My little sister [now almost six] was lovely at four too – I think my dad said that it was his favourite age at that time too. Does this mean she starts kindergarten next year? Kids grow up so quickly – at first they are SO NEEDY, and then all of a sudden, they hardly seem to need you at all.
I’ll stop rambling – it’s 4am, and I’m wired after being woken up by being climbed all over for the 2624th time tonight (but who’s counting?!)
Bea xo
Three is a bitch. Four is fine, two is fine, five has been alright, I mean school has brought it’s challenges and getting Bluey to be ok with what he’s doing and not needing to impress others and thus doing stupid shit.
I hoped and hoped the three thing we had with Bluey was the whole new to being a big brother thing, but Greenie has already showed it isn’t. It’s just three I guess. Maybe some people get the terrible two’s, and some get the tiresome three’s?
Three is a bad age for us. At least it only lasts a year!
Four is fine. You’ll be fine.
I am at exactly the same spot – age 3 was rough on all of us and I had to ask friends … “I thought terrible two’s were supposed to be finished by now?” … then they told me about the “Trying Three’s” — eek! … but now I’m loving 4
totally jealous! 4 was torture with MissE. So far MissS is showing signs of the “trying threes” im a little scared. lol
My middlest boy is three and it has been a very, very challenging year. Tantrums and stubborness galore. He turns four next week and I’m hoping for a miraculous transformation
I love 4 year olds too! Each of my kids had a different difficult age (so far anyway – I’m sure there will be more to come). My oldest was definitely 3 – he was a beautiful 2 year old so I laughed at people who talked about terrible twos. My middle boy was REALLY hard work from 1 year old & he got remarkably easier from 2 onwards. My youngest who’s now 4 was a true terrible two! Gorgeous but really hard work.
4 year olds are brilliant! Still little, but beginning to understand others points of view. They become a little more flexible and have developed basic independence skills. Love 4.