To just shut myself in the bathroom

[namechal]

Well it would be unreasonable I it's what I feel like doing. It's only 9am and my 3 year old has had me in tears. I know that's ridiculous, he's only a Pre-schooler but he is impossible. He's already been in time out this morning, where he peed on my floor then laughed at me. It's constant. I don't know what else to do.

We have rules and boundaries and consequences, he gets pretty much all of my attention to the detriment of my daughter who's a preteen but is no trouble at all.

What the hell have I done wrong? Why is he like this? I've never known a child like it. His behaviour is atrocious and he just doesn't care. I don't even know what I want, just a rant really I suppose. I need to get it out

3 is a hard age OP, be kind to yourself, I take my hat off to parents of little ones when stuck in lockdown. My kids are older now but I remember that desperate stage well. Get out for a walk if you can and let him run off some steam. My DS was nuts at 3, he’s now a typically lazy (but lovely) teen. Chin up.

I've found my 2.5 year old needs exercising like a Labrador, he even runs after balls I throw.... (Don't judge). Also garden play even when it's freezing and first thing in the morning. I miss the sticky cesspit of soft play, thankfully swimming lessons are back from Monday! They're also at an age when any attention is good so even if being told off they like the attention. More praise to the older well behaved one, ignore behaviours that are not dangerous. To

Op when you get time read the thread from other parents of children who either are or have been exactly the same or worse.😀it will make you feel better.
You are doing nothing wrong at all.
Take him to the park,he can run off his energy and give you some peace hopefully this afternoon..

My advice is to first clean up the pee.
Then decide where the 3 year old can have a 'shout spot' that is a safe place that he can be brought to (and returned to as often as necessary) until he learns that peeing on the floor is not allowed and will not be allowed going forward. This would be different to a time out as he would stay in this "Shout Spot" for as long as he needs. Probably a good idea to have this in his bedroom as you can close the door and leave him to get his frustrations out.
Praise the good, ignore the bad (a lot easier said than done).
There is probably a lot that he can do but you're still treating him like a baby (he may well be acting up because he can't vocalise in as many words) that he wants to be allowed to grow up and I'm not suggesting that you're doing anything wrong here but you might need to make adjustments to what you are doing. Being a parent is, in my opinion, the hardest job in the world and there is no instruction manual provided with each child so it's guess work and a lot of fingers crossed.
Speak with a firm voice and mean what you say.
If he misbehaves, give him an option "Shout Spot or play nicely" or whatever he was enjoying doing before he started having his tantrum.
Spend time playing with your daughter, doing stuff with her and when he behaves better, he can join in but ONLY when he behaves better.
You are going to have to be VERY strong on this and not cave in to his whinging, crying or screeching while he learns of how he will be treated going forward.

I wish you every success with however you decide to deal with this.

Does he get enough exercise?

Like a PP said, small children are like labradors - they need tiring out

We try and get out every day and if we don't we play in the garden. Thank you all, think I just needed the solidarity and I'll give all the ideas a go. I'll definitely be throwing a ball too, no judgment here! I'll try whatever at this stage

@namechal - Just wondering how you're doing, checking in with you to make sure that you've made it back out of the bathroom again

@LookItsMeAgain I did manage to get out haha, thank you! Yesterday was a full day at Pre-school which was much needed so my patience has been restored. Fingers crossed for better behaviour today!