Lately I've been losing my patience with my 3 year old...?

Question

I've been yelling a lot and then I have to go back and apologize. He'll tell me "it's okay, mommy. I get mad, too" and then give me a hug and kiss, but I still feel like I need a way to cool down when things aren't going right. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you feel yourself losing patience, stop and count to 10 or give yourself a timeout. When you need to discipline later, saying I'm sorry can make it worse. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

When was the last time that you had "you time"? Are you a stay at home mom? Do you get away? Maybe you are getting a little overwhelmed with life. If this is the case, have you husband take your son for a while so you can go out and do things that you would like to do. Or enroll him in a preschool or a headstart program, that way you both can have a break...he can make his little friends, and you can do what you please for a while. I am a stay at home mommy (my husband works 12 hours a day so its mostly all me), and I love it, but I still get a little overwhelmed and tired, so I have my husband take our daughter (which is 7 months old) for a half an hour or an hour so I can go do something, like take a relaxing bath or scrapbook. Find a hobby, hobbies are good outlets, or talk to a friend.
If you do get out, like have a job or have your hubby take your son already, then maybe you could go to counseling or anger management, or even take parenting classes (now I am not saying that you are a bad mom, but parenting classes are a great way to get new info and techniques and maybe even meet other moms with children that are the same age as yours, or have the same hobbies as you).
Just my advice, good luck.

Answer 3

I know how you feel. I am going through the same thing with my 3 yr old right now. Instead of yelling and repeating myself over and over to the point where I feel like a broken record I have started using the time out corner. When my daughter does something wrong I sit her in the corner for 3 minutes (1 minute per year(age)). This also gives me those three minutes to calm down and then when the time is over I calmly explain what she did wrong.
Also try and get some "me" time in. Enlist someone to babysit for a little so you can go out and do something for yourself. My daughter is in preshool for 3 hours a day and I use that time as my "me" time once a week and I go out and do something for myself like get a pedicure and manicure or go shopping. I find I am less stressed and have more patience to spare.

Answer 4

stuff happens. Lets just be glad that sometimes our kids act more like adults then we do. I am 27 weeks pregnant with my third kid, and my girls are 4 and 5. I blow up too, and they say the same thing. About three weeks ago I asked a question similar to this one, and got many answers that kinda hurt my feelings, and ones that were effective in how to solve this problem. But I noticed that asking the question was the first step and now things will start to get better. Just try to have more patience and think before you yell, things will get better. good luck

Answer 5

All parents go thru that ~ you probably just need a break yourself. When he is taking his nap - take that time for yourself and do something that you find relaxing. When you are getting to the point of yelling or getting mad- step aside count to 10 that sometimes helps, than you will feel more (hopefully) calmed down. At that age kids can be very trying!! Best of luck ~

Answer 6

Lock yourself in a room and turn up the music! You will feel less guilty than you would by yelling. I have had to do this a few times. I cool off and my little girl will sit at the door and tell me she is sorry, that makes me cool off A LOT faster because I realize that she is just a little girl and I LOVE her to death! You need to remove yourself from the situation so you can think clearly.

Answer 7

When you feel the urge to yell, tell your son you need a time out and then take a 5 minute break. When you've calmed down you can reevaluate the situation and take the proper action.
Are you home alone with him all day? You might try to find a playgroup or a mom's day out program. Staying home all day with a toddler and no adult interaction can be very stressful. Good luck.

Answer 8

I have two and 1/2 year old twins it is the hardest thing to keep your temper in check. I just enrolled them in a headstart program 2 days a week so I could get a break. Next time you lose your temper make yourself think of what you would do if your child were gone. Try to tell yourself that he is only three and before you know it he will be older and you will be upset for different reasons. Hang in there being a parent is a hard thing to do. Good luck

Answer 9

When my 2 year old frustrates me to the point that I am about to yell or scream. I tell him that mommy needs a time out so she get herself together. ANd he knows that even Mommy has a time-out chair. It works both ways. He sees that time-outs are not punishments but a time to get yourself together again, and I am reinforcing that mommy has feelings too and sometimes she needs help.

Answer 10

One thing that helps me when I get frustrated, angry, and need to let out my anger in a non-violent way is listen to a very upbeat song. I listen to it a couple times, think of a few things that make me happy, and wait a while before I stop. Or I usually do breathing excersizes like the ones we do in karate class. It is very relaxing and helps calm you. You could try to look up different calming breathing excersizes on the internet. Or if none of that helps, I go on youtube and watch videos of people prank calling people, or whatever i think is funny at the time! I hope this helps you.

Answer 11

awe....just cool down. maybe other things in your life are causing you to lash out on him. handle that and take nothing out on him hes your child, not a bf that pissed you off or something. Im not trying to make you feel bad so dont take that the wrong way. Just look at his little innocent face when you feel your blood pressure rising....it should definently help....and remember, hes a sponge at this age, what you do and say, that is *every little thing you do and say* is being absorbed by him...start teaching him to be a do gooder now before he screams at his future girlfriends all the time lol

good luck :)