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Out of control 3 year old daughter
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ccd41 posted:
Hi, My daughter is 3 1/2 years old. She is in a day care center 2 days a week while I work. The other 3 days, she is home with me. My daughter has been what I would call difficult since she was a baby. Very fussy, screamed a lot, etc. As she has gotten older, she has become a terror. So much so, that I am embarrassed to take her anywhere. I don't know if its just bad behavior or there is something wrong. She throws fits constantly, when she cant have her way, when something goes wrong for her, etc. She is tearing our household apart. Her sister, age 7, told me she cant stand to be around her, because she just bothers her constantly (hitting her, taking her stuff, breaking her things). She is very destructive and rough and seems to get pleasure out of it. She can't sit still, she talks non-stop and it always on the go. As soon as I tell her not to do something, she keeps doing it. I have tried time out, going to her room, spanking, taking away favorite things, making her miss playdates or fun activities. Nothing seems to work. She tells me she doesn't care if I punish her. Its getting to the point where I want to go to work full time so I dont have to deal with this all day. I feel guilty saying that, but its true. I love her dearly and she is a very loving and sweet child, but 90% of the time, she is really naughty. I recently went to the doctor because I have started having anxiety attacks and I know its because of the stress from her. I mentioned her behavior to her peditrician and she said "its just her age, it should get better". Lots of help that was. It's causing problems between my husband and I, both of us are always on edge. She doesn't listen at school and has started to pee in her bed every night, She has been potty trained for a year and the last 6 months now, she just goes in her bed. And if I punish her by putting her in her room, she will pee on the floor on purpose. I feel like she just doesn't care in general. She thinks its funny if she throws her drinks or food on the floor, or throws something at my husband or I or my other daughter. She hit me in the face for no reason the other day with a sippy cup and cut my lip. She laughed. She destorys my things (picture frames, books, etc.), takes markers to walls and furniture. Anyone else have a child who is just out of control? Any advice? I am at my witts end with this child. My first one was so easy and well behaved. Its exhausting!
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VicsEandJ responded:
I think you should try posting this on one of the older aged Boards. I can't remember the specifics, but I think a few moms have books that they could recommend trying fo behavior issues.

Good luck!
 
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sarahann1978 responded:
I don't really understand V's comment, it's fine to be posted here since she is 3.5.

Three is a difficult age, but if it's causing family problems and anxiety for you I would seek out additional help. If one doctor shrugs it off get a second opinion or see if you can go directly to a family counselor. Good luck!
Sarah (33) DH (30) DS (Jan 2009) baby (Aug 2012)
 
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VicsEandJ replied to sarahann1978's response:
My point is that since this board gets less traffic than some of the others, if she posted her question there, some of the mothers who have already dealt with similar problams with their 3 year old ( and whose kids are now OLDER than 3!) and who have, in the past, posted about books that they found helpful, could share that with her. I remember reading posts about it, but I don't remember the names of the books, but it has been a topic of conversation on this board years ago. Age their children have aged, those people now post on Baords corresponding to their child's current age- so it woudl be a good place to with questions since no one here responded.

Understand?
 
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Nicolemcd responded:
I am having the same problem with my daughter. She is the same age. The majority of the time she is being so bad. She cries and screams about everything and no punishment works. I have tried everything! I do work full time and it is not enough. I feel guilty also, but i hate going home at night because I know that I will go home to a super-stressful unhappy environment. My soon to be husband and I are starting to argue because we are so tense. We do not know how to handle her and no one believes us about how bad she is. She is apparently a perfect little angel everywhere else, but at home she is a devil child. I do not have an answer for you but I thought I would share so you knew you were not alone.


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