Help - lack of respect from 2 3/4 yr old

[Sikorsky27]

My son is 2yrs 9 months. He is very bright, happy, and sociable. But some days he is absolutely awful. He goes into self destruct mode, almost wants to cry and be told off all day. No matter what I say, how I tell him off, etc he just carries on, often smirking or laughing at me. Once we are over that episode, he goes into melt down over something else.

I always carry out my threats / actions, I explain clearly what will happen if he continues behaving that way. I think I am stern.

Is this behaviour normal? I am at the end of my tether after a day of doing battle all day. Help!

Smirking at that young age is not a lack of respect. It's a nervous reaction. It's quite normal.

Have you tried using a little more empathy on the days he gets out of the wrong side of bed. It might help him snap out of the vicious cycle?

Yes it sounds completely normal. They just don't have an understanding of things like 'respect' at that age. Just continue being consistent and he will learn.

It is hard work. I have found my DS1, just turned 3 has finally started to get a little easier as his understanding and language has improved.