5 things that get easier when your child turns 3

happy-child-1254255-639x520There are some things that do get easier once your child turns into the threenager.  Ok, some things get tougher – and I’ll come to that shortly.  For now though, here is some positive news.

  1.  You don’t need to carry copious changes of clothes, wipes, bibs anymore.  By 3, your son or daughter is getting much better with their fine motor skills and therefore can usually eat a standard dinner without getting too messy.  I’m still wary of spag bol, but most other foodstuffs are mess-free.
  2. They tell you what is wrong.  Rather than worry constantly about whether your child is ill or unhappy because they can’t speak, by 3 the extent of vocabulary is such that they will normally be able to tell you when they feel poorly or are hurting, or indeed, if they have pushed an object up their nose.
  3. Independence. By 3, your child is beginning to take a bit more control and can be trusted to be in a room (or preferably garden) without you being a metre or so away.  Their interest is expanding and they will trot around investigating things but this no longer involves the ‘I need to put this is my mouth to work out what it is’ activity. Cue less paranoid Mum. Note, still be careful of pens around walls and doors.
  4. Toileting.  Yes, finally, by 3 children are beginning to show desire to discard the nappy in favour of the potty or toilet.  This in itself is a mammoth achievement and one that means you no longer need to worry about whether the toddler is likely to let out something stinky whilst you are eating lunch, or whether the location that you are going to has sufficient baby-changing facilities. Your freedom has returned.
  5. More walking, less carrying.  The threenager is finally able to walk a fair distance without asking to be carried.  This is such a great feeling when your back, hip or shoulders no longer ache from having to carry your child all the way round the park, garden centre, shops etc. and you also don’t need to navigate through crowds with a buggy.

Now for the not so great things that threenagers bring.

  1. Defiance
  2. Rudeness
  3. Impromptu tantrums
  4. Night terrors
  5. Challenges with listening

However, the insatiable need for questioning, and the developing sense of humour can’t help but make me smile and forgive my own threenager daughter for her spirited nature. Overall this is a very enjoyable stage that needs to be embraced.

 
 

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
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Amelia Salisbury

A thirty-something working Mum of one who devotes her spare time to helping other paranoid, worrying, stressed parents who are trying to juggle careers and parenthood.

27 thoughts on “5 things that get easier when your child turns 3”

  1. I didn’t know that 3 was such an important number for a child. Now that I think about it from age one to three is so weird to me. That’s just because it seems like they learn how to walk so quickly. It’s truly amazing and the fact that they talk so much at that age.

  2. I must admit, 3 brings very many challenges but I do secretly like 3…they are just becoming REALLY aware of their surroundings and their power over other people. Which makes for some hard times but lots of fun too! Good idea for a post, love it! x

  3. Yes, you really do appreciate how easier a lot of things become when they turn three. However, there is always the threenager tantrums like you mention. But I don’t miss having to cart round a massive bag full of nappies etc. Give me the threenager attacks any day 😉 Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

  4. I’m already finding 2 so much easier than 18 months… Like you said, the more they can verbalise the easier it gets and we’re lucky to have a little talker on our hands! Bring on the next load of challenges ? #KCACOLS

  5. Great Post! My little man is 20 months and already certain things are getting easier (and some harder as you say!) amazing how their personalities develop so quickly. My nephew is 3 and it’s such an exciting age! I look forward to not worrying about messy meals and nappy changes! #KCACOLS

  6. I’m finding 1-10 challenging with mine:) It just keeps going, my concerns are so much bigger than my kids. Luckily they are so carefree and enjoy everything. Im a wreck!!:) I love it really.

    mainy x
    #KCACOLS

  7. My little one is only 15months so I still have this to look forward too. I hate having to carry around a hideous baby change bag but I do love having the pram.

    Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

    Azaria- Being Mrs Lynch

  8. Yes, all true! I do like the cleaner, more independent eating, as I hate the slog of weaning & adapting food, & tidying up all the food mess! #KCACOLS

  9. bah we turn three in two weeks and I have to go out with sooo many spare pants. he does not get the concept of not pooing in his pants! and it is slowly driving me bonkers haha !#KCACOLS

  10. Oh my goodness by the not so good things on this list my two year old is already a threenager. I’m am so looking forward to the not having to carry mine around as much. My back is seriously starting to hurt from this. Enjoyed the post that! #KCACOLS

  11. Yes you are right, things are much easier at this stage than when they are babies. I love the idea of not having to bring lots of things when were are out and about. I understand that they are much more independent at this stage but I must admit that for me 6 years old is the best age so far. I’m enjoying a lot this stage, 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS.

  12. It’s so crazy how quickly they grow up.
    I sit here and look at my 14 month old, and how I do literally everything for him right now, it won’t be long before he is talking to me like a regular person! #KCACOLS

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