Signs of a Threenager

There are special qualities of a three year old that are similar to that a teenager, which is why we call this the “Threenager Stage.”  Enjoys these signs of a Threenager. 

Rewind to a year ago… one cold January morning as I am getting Annabelle ready for baby school we had our first clothing argument.

“These” she said and handed me a teeny tiny pair of sandals.

“Honey, these shoes are from when you were little. They don’t fit anymore” I explained.

“THESE” she insisted and began to shove her big foot into the size 6-month shoes.

We battled for awhile – there were lots of tears – but she finally gave up. I had to bribe her with a Hershey kiss and the promise of Daniel Tiger in the car to get her to put on a pair of socks and sneakers. So ultimately I won the argument. As I drove to work that morning summarizing the situation for my Mom, she told me it was only the beginning.

So THIS is what a typical three year old acts like … at the ripe age of two.  

I can’t recall exactly when the reign as Princess Too Old For Her Own Good began, but it now feels like she has been this way forever. Annabelle has her Daddy’s strength of opinion and argumentation skills and her Mommy’s flair for dramatics.

Anyone who spends a good amount of time with Annabelle will agree that she is her own little soul, strong willed, but endearing.

Insisting on a certain outfit or refusing to wash her filthy hair are two telltale signs of a Threenager. Then you have the mischievous acts and fibbing.

As soon as she turned three, she shoved a french fry up her nose and learned to hop the bedroom gate all while lying about giving baby sister her pacifier.

If you ask Annabelle to tell you the signs of a Threenager, she will most likely reply, “A beard and an Elsa dress” – which translates to a silly sense of humor and dressing like a Princess every day.

Having a strong opinion, mood swings, and a desire to defy are the top three signs of a Threenager. 

Many people might say that this sounds like the behavior of all toddlers, but I disagree. I’ve met my share of children Annabelle’s age who don’t display impressive attitudes and naughtiness. Annabelle is NOT naughty, she is just… respectfully devious.

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