Three Is Terribly Trying

Which is worse — the vaunted "Terrible Twos" or the less-vaunted (probably because no one wants to talk about it because it would make parents who haven't been there yet throw themselves under a bus) Trying Threes?

Back when my beautiful, bright, strong willed daughter was two and asserting her independence, I would roll my eyes and smile at other parents and just say "Two." They'd smile back — and then say "Three is worse."

"That's not at all possible," I would think. "Surely, surely this behaviour will resolve by age three."

And it did.

And then she turned three and a half AND as an extra added bonus lost Solo Star of The Show status when her brother came along. Who's teething right while she's all in the midst of the threes. That's been fun, if by fun you mean having your exposed nerves rubbed raw with a lemon zester for 14 solid hours every day kind of fun.

The only thing that's saved me is when I talk to my friends who’ve already been through this (unexpected benefit of those long years of infertility is that most of them have), they all say three year olds are just nuts.  And this week, my favorite topic on Ask Moxie was her song for three and a half year olds (containing the immortal line "why you wanna play me like that, sweet potato?"). If you’re going through this or have been through this, click on over — I was laughing so hard at the post and ensuing comments I have actually been able to maintain my sense  of humour the entire rest of the week. 

 I think this happpens at three versus any earlier because by this time you love them so much you'd cut off your arm for them without even thinking about it, and generally like them a great deal by now as well (they are awfully cute when they are not embarassing you in public/screaming at the top of their lungs because you dared give them a BLUE M&M and they wanted a GREEN one OMG the world is ending/getting out of bed for the fifth time that night).

So tell me, readers: Which age, in your experience, has been harder to parent: Two? Or Three?  And when, when does this END and my pleasant, happy kid comes back from wherever she was hiding?