Normal 3 year old toddler behavior?
I cannot believe I’m even here but sometimes when it’s come to my kid, Reddit has been so helpful even if it’s just to let me know I’m not alone.
I’m trying to determine whether my 3 year olds tantrums are normal or not. She nearly only had a tantrum when she isn’t getting her way, and it’s quite literal HELL. She can keep it going for well over an hour at times. Screaming, raging, shaking and red in the face. It’s quite scary honestly. Even my mom and dad have questioned whether it’s normal.
When i look into the factors of “why”, it certainly makes sense that she wouldn’t just be a perfectly normal easy child. Split home since 1, vacant father who has just become in the last 3-4 months more “consistent”. Even then, it’s only 2-3 weekends a month and it’s basically just play time over there. He does his best to stick to my rules and schedule but he can’t stick to a schedule himself so it’s always thrown off and I’m sure guilt makes him give in to stuff with her.
Not to mention i work a very demanding full time job, and have to go to conferences or trips somewhat often and my mom keeps her normally during those times or if i have something on a weekend her dad doesn’t get her. My point in explaining all that is we don’t have a standard “normal” household with mom/dad/any siblings. She goes to a wonderful school and her behavior doesn’t spill over there much at all, it’s only with me (mostly) or anyone keeping her like her dad, my mom, my dad etc when she doesn’t get her way.
I try my best to use direct language without raising my voice and losing my sh\*t (not passive and i don’t give in to what she wants and I’m not always successful but i try my best) but it feels like literal hell and some days i just want to cry. I feel like a was such a good mother up until this year and now i question every day if ive done something wrong and messed her up, and i worry she is going to be such a brat and unappreciative and have anger issues.
I guess im just wondering if the explosive level of tantrums is “normal” at this age???