A “threenager” is a child who is three years old and acts like a little teenager. I have two teenagers and a three-year-old and their behaviors are all very similar. Que the sass, talking back, and sneakiness.
Three has been much more challenging than age two. The terrible twos have nothing on a threenager. Three-year-old’s like to lick the bottoms of their shoes, see no shame in picking their nose, and mine likes to strip her clothes off as soon as we get home. As we come to the final months of my daughter’s third year I want to reflect on what I will miss the most and what I love about the wonderful age of THREE!
1. She Isn’t Embarrassed by Me Yet
This past holiday season as we were driving around town she would get so excited when we would see vehicles with the reindeer antlers and Rudolf nose. She excitingly exclaimed, “I want one of those on our car!” Needless to say when I saw them at 50% off during the after Christmas sale I bought one for next year. She isn’t embarrassed by our minivan and she doesn’t shy away from giving me affection in front of her friends.
2. She’s Affectionate
Speaking of affection in front of her friends, she also snuggles me and is affectionate at home. I love love love her randomly saying, “I love you, Mom.” I always respond with, “I love you more!” I can’t remember the last time my thirteen-year-old randomly said I love you, but he is still very occasionally affectionate but certainly not in front of his friends. I know having a three-year-old can be difficult, but enjoy this stage because it won’t last long. I also love how my threenager randomly hugs and gives a kiss to my pregnant belly. I hope she is this sweet to her little sister when she arrives in a few weeks!
3. She’s Helpful
Whereas my teenagers moan, groan, and eye roll when I ask them to do things, my threenager is mostly happy to help me. While I was nine months pregnant she would go upstairs to get my cell phone charger for me. Once when I was 38 weeks pregnant I was making a dessert in the kitchen and I spilled a bunch of liquid chocolate on the floor and she happily cleaned it up for me.
4. She Says the Funniest Things
The other night my sassy threenager exclaimed, “Mommy you’re my favorite!” Her dad was sitting beside us and said, “Who is really your favorite?” She then said, “Mommy is really my favorite.” Talk about making my heart melt. Even after a trying and very difficult day, my sassy threenager knows just what to say to tug at my heart.
5. Outings are Not the Hassle They Used to Be
Going out and about with a threenager is MUCH easier than going out with a newborn. We are past the point of toting around diapers, wipes, strollers, and bottles. We can go to the zoo, hop out of our car and just go. It’s wonderful.
Raising a three-year-old definitely has its difficult days, but there are positive points too. I will certainly miss many of the sweet moments that come with this age!
