The Very Trying Threes

Since I was young, I remember hearing the term, "terrible twos." As time approached for me to experience this phase, I was pretty nervous. However, when the time finally came, I kept thinking, "This isn't so bad." Westin hardly had tantrums and while listening was still a bit of a challenge... it's was NOTHING compared to age three. It started happening after Christmas. His intent on proving his independence and ensuring he gets his way has been relentless. Then add in the fact that he has nearly phased out of napping (but really does still need at least a few a week)... well, it has been more than "trying" the last couple of month. For example, this morning I literally sat on my child in order to contain the kicking and screaming while I got him dressed. He had also been in timeout two times before 8 a.m. Another example, after school yesterday Westin wanted to drive home with a friend, when I said he couldn't, he flipped out (almost literally). Complete spasm... you know, limp body, kicking, screaming at the top of his lungs and yelling at me the entire time. 

There are so many times when I think (know) it would be so much easier to give in and let him have what he wants (like when he asked for M&Ms at 7 a.m. the other morning, or insists he wear pajama bottoms (what he calls superhero pants) everyday, all day). But I realize that would only make things worse. He's challenging me... a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. I seriously have to give myself a pep talk when the tantrums break out. "Stand your ground. Don't lose control. You can do it. It will be over soon."

Of course, I can't do all this complaining without saying that we also have so many wonderful moments. Moments when I can't help but laugh out loud at what he's saying or doing. Moments when I'm holding him and he'll just grab my cheeks and give me a kiss. Moments when he helps me carry the trash out. Moments when he tells me he loves me "this much," with his arms out as wide as they can reach. Moments when he comes up to me and tells me he wants to dress up like Nephi (from the Book of Mormon). Moments when he hugs me and tells me he missed me after I've been gone for work. There are a lot, a lot, a lot of great moments... and these are the moments I have to flood my mind with when we have those other kinds of moments :)

Anyway, for anyone reading who hasn't yet hit age two and three with their kids... just know that the terrible twos really aren't terrible... it's the trying threes that will test your patience more than you could EVER imagine. 

Here's to nine more months of age three!