Your Three Year Old: Friend or Enemy

We were wondering where our sweet little 3 year old girl had gone. Suddenly, we had a screaming, questionning, frustrated, argumentative 3 1/2 year old! I read this book and was relieved to find that we are not the only parents to wonder this. This book isn't a "self-help", more of a "questions answered". Read it if you want to confirm suspicions.

Comprehensive and digestible guide of what can be expected at this age.Recommended reading for caregivers of three year olds..

helped me understand my son far more at this age of 3.5, that there are great differences between the age of 3 and 3.5. our kids are constantly changing and evolving and this book will help calm you in knowing that those challenges you face with kids at the age of 3 and 4 are completely normal.

I give this book to all new parents! The Gesell Institute series (1 year to 10-14) is the result of observing hundreds of children in each age group. You learn typical behaviors for each age. So, when you're 3-year-old is having tantrums or being defiant, you read that this is typical of the age. The knowledge helps you to have compassion for your child (just doing what 3-year-old's do,) and yourself (you're not doing anything wrong, it's just the age.) Additionally, they're thin books with indexes. You can turn to the page on 'defiance' and only read that tiny chapter. Perfect for overwhelmed parents. Just so helpful!! Buy one for every year of development; you won't be sorry.

Read a chapter, outrageous this book is still on sale. So outdated!

Great details.

Great set of books. As a psychologist, I’ve been recommending them for years. Some of the toy recommendations may be a little dated now but otherwise information is still accurate. I’ve recommended them to patients and to my children for use with my grandchildren. Chapters are brief and not overwhelming. Divided into logical sections, eg, social, behavior etc.

Other reviews have cited a lack of helpful hints in this book. Please know before buying, this is not a "how to" book. You won't find formulas for parenting. What you will find is an excellent study on the behavior and development of your child at any given age. This book is outdated in its look and in some of the scenarios presented. However, the observations and information laid out are timeless. A three year old is a three year - in 1972 or 2022. I see parenting as an adventure and a challenge, where each child is unique. It's my job to tailor the rearing of my child to suit him and these books help me do just that. This series has made me a more informed parent. For instance, in the 2 year old book I read that children at this age have a very hard time sticking to a decision. They want a drink, so you give them a drink. You then hear, "I don't want a drink!". So you take it back. Whereupon your child wails that he wants his drink. This can go on for an exasperating long while. The more informed I am on what's age appropriate behavior, the more I'm able to separate my reactions from the emotional frustration that might otherwise erupt. I can then spend more time thinking rationally about how I can help him through this, rather than becoming angry. I love these books and think that all parents would benefit from reading. As I stated above, these books won't show you HOW to be a better parent, just as reading a book on art history won't show you HOW to be a museum curator. But knowing and understanding art history is a must in order to be a great curator. Same with kids and same with these books.