I know she loves me. I know I’m the centre of her world. Honestly though? I feel like we’re playing a game of she loves me, she loves me not.
She doesn’t want to talk to me, then she’s clinging to me for dear life crying and begging me not to leave her at kindy.
She’s asking me to tickle her a little bit, then tickling me a little bit too. Until all of a sudden she’s screaming don’t tickle me at the top of her lungs {and not in a giggly fun way either}.
She’s yelling for me to get her from her cot, crawling into my bed saying mumma kiss cuggle, then I reach for her and she smacks my hand away.
She wants a snack. We’re on a crowded bus. I have sultanas. I want something else. Again, not in her inside voice, rather one that people in the next state can hear. Over and over again. We don’t have anything else. But I want something else. So at the next available stop I drag her off the bus. For the sake of the other passengers. And because I’m mortified.
I lost count of the number of times I got to 3 counting 1, 2, 3 on the weekend. I also lost count of the number of time outs. I may have hearing damage from the volume of her screams.
I was never going to be this mother, snapping at my defiant, naughty child.
What happened?
bumpyroadtobubba 
Sounds like your little love bug is trying to take some steps toward becoming a big girl and being in control. Scary.
I am pretty sure it’s a 3yo phase. My sweet little boy who I am pretty sure is only slightly older then your Love Bug has been the same way lately. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Other mummas in our mothers’ group say the same. But when you’re in the moment it’s hard not to think you’re the only one. I’m open to any/all suggestions for tools to help them/us 🙂
I wish I knew what to suggest. Counting to three used to work for us, now I make it to three and even after some alone time, leaving an activity etc nothing seems to change for him. It’s exhausting.
The only thing that other mommas with kids the same age have said is be persistent. And wine. I am sure wine would help (us, not them)
I’m having a glass now. Of course tonight she was the most perfect angel. Such a bumpy road!
Love
Izaac always waits until I get to 3…. Always pushing the boundaries and my sanity! Then, while on the time out chair will sit on it and push it around and around the room! My Izaac is hard work. Love him to bits but hard hard work!
Love Bug waits until I’m just about to say 3 then sets off at a snail’s pace!
I think you should send her to the dogs. Bella and Beary I mean.
Maybe you’d like her to visit Bongo? She’s provably more fun than cats and flowers – even when she’s grumpy 😉
I would love to have a visit from Love Bug. Woo woo!