Three is a difficult age. There is a good book called "1-2-3-Magic" about changing the way you deal with her to get better behavior. You will have to be very consistent, though, to help her change. There really is no such thing as controlling their behavior.

Three is a difficult age. There is a good book called "1-2-3-Magic" about changing the way you deal with her to get better behavior. You will have to be very consistent, though, to help her change. There really is no such thing as controlling their behavior.
That's a good parenting aid. Thomas Phelan has his office right down the road from where I live. When I did family therapy at Catholic Charities, that was our #1 help with problem kids. And yes, the parent MUST be consistent for it to work. The library should have a copy of it or can get it for her through interlibrary loan.

Honestly hon, you can't 'control' a 3 year old behavior. You can teach her, discaplin her, guide her, but 'controlling' a toddler is only going to cause more issues later.

Some parents don't agree with me. But our children, no matter what age, really do have a right to their emotions. If they want to be angry, they have a right to do so. But we as parents teach them the proper way to deal with that anger.

If she is throwing a fit at you because she doesn't like your rules, or what you told her, she needs to be taught that it is not acceptable. However, if she is angry or upset because she cannot do something she wants to do, she can be angry, as long as she is being angry respectfully.


This age is hard, and it lasts for quite a while. Keep your wits about you honey.

This age group respond really well to star charts or another method that suits you to track her behaviour, anything she can visibly see.

Let her help you put it together, and let her know the rules.

Using a naughty step will also help but be consistent.

Using these methods IS controlling/managing the situation,its different then being controlling.

You are the adult,you make the rules and you enforce them.

Also, when she behaves praise praise praise, go over the top with the praise,lashings of it,if its one thing children at this age want it's the attention of a parent, so when she behaves give her loads.

When she misbehaves, enforce the rules, and make sure she knows why she is being put on the naughty step etc.

Check her routine, does she know from one day to the next what's happening? Morning routine, times of snacks, going for walks, playschool routine.
Children thrive on routine and positive praise.