My Threenager

Me: Gus, would you like some milk?
Gus: NO!!!!
Me: Well, what would you like?
Gus: I WANT MILK!!

This is a typical conversation lately with what used-to-be my sweeter child. My sis-in-law Laura told me there's a term called "threenager" and it couldn't be more true of Gus. Ever since he turned three, he has been somewhat of a mess.

Now, he wasn't unlike a teenager before. He has a tendency to be lethargic. He loves to sleep in. And when I go in to get him up (Yes, I usually have to wake him up!) he'll say, "No, it's not morning time yet." Same goes for after nap. I totally deserve this, by the way, since Leo was so nap-resistant and has always woken up at 7am or earlier, no matter if he went to a bed at midnight.

Gus also seems a little bit older, not into babyish things…except sucking his thumb and his shoo shoo. But he can totally hang with the big boys.

Now that he is three, he's more than just lazy and cool. He's prone to melt downs and is so stubborn. I honestly used to think he was kind of a pushover (compared to Leo at two). Not anymore.

And he just makes no sense.

Like today, we were in a public restroom and after Gus had done his business I was trying to help him wash his hands (which always sparks drama) and not only did he not want me to help him, he kept insisting, "I don't HAVE to go potty! I don't have to go potty!" And I would say, "You already went potty. Now we are washing your hands" to which he cried and screamed repeatedly, "I don't have to go potty!" Foolishly, I repeated my last explanation to which he became more agitated and repeated HIS argument. Full of frustration I yelled, "Why am I arguing with a three year old?"

When we got home he wanted to go in the backyard to "mow the lawn." He asked me, "Do you think the lawn needs to be mowed?" I said, "Well, the boys did it yesterday but you're welcome to mow it if you want." He asked his question again. I answered again. He became upset and screamed his question. I tried rephrasing. He started to melt down, asking the same question over and over, no matter how I answered. Finally (and might I add that it was way too hot to be in the backyard in the first place), I said, "YES! THE LAWN NEEDS TO BE MOWED!" To which he completely stopped screaming and said, "Okay." I heard him doing the same exchange with Leo a few minutes later so I gave Leo a head's up: "Just say yes."

In the last month I think Gus has had more melt downs than he's had in his three years. And I think his first language is whine. So this is just a preview of what it will be like in the teen years. Except I bet he won't be this cute.