Just feeling like a crap parent right now, after a stressful lunch date at a friends. My 3 and a bit year old DS is a very lively, noisy little boy. They are very fond of him at nursery and have never complained to me about bad behaviour, but when we go to friends or if people come to us, he is really hard to deal with. He shouts, runs around, shows off and generally behaves very naughtily! I am constantly on his case, asking him to stop shouting, stop running, stop throwing, etc etc. I know three year olds are challenging, and his behaviour isn't always terrible, it's just when he's with friends, I dread playdates because of it! I wonder if I'm handling it effectively, I feel like I'm being firm, but he tends to carry on regardless. Other boys are often lively, but I'm sure mine is livelier! I can't help but worry what people think either.
Any advice or reassurance much appreciated.