3 year old stamping and screaming!!!! Any advice please

[Joelizabeth73]

Apart from the usual stamping and screaming tantrums I have been reading about, my 3 year old wakes up in a morning screaming and stamping his feet. When asked why "because I want to". it is getting quite a regular occurance now. He used to wake up so happy nut is now more like a moody teenager. Day time tantrums are on the increase too. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Going through the same thing with my 3.5 year old. He has a new sibling so the tantrums are about control and attention.
I do two things. First I really pick my battles. What is non-negotiable to me? Brushing teeth yes, him wearing a dirty t-shirt no. So when I have made my decision I stick to it. I explain once what us happening and that's it I leave him to it. Like I say no you can't watch the iPad now you have already watched 20 minutes today that is all you are allowed. And then I walk away and usually do another task just do he gets the message that I am really ignoring him. He usually calms down quickly.

My ds can work himself up into almost hyperventilating if he gets really upset I cuddle him until he calms down and read him a book. He often repeats over and over I want the iPad! But I don't engage in talking through it again. It just winds him up more. I just concentrate in calming him down with a book or a glass of water.

Since I've stated ignoring I've noticed his tantrums have decreased in severity although we had a nice 45 minute one on the weekend!

Also he's way better with me than my husband because my husband engages him a lot and tries to talk him through it, which just winds him up more.

Thank you for your response it was really helpful. Will try the telling once and ignoring tactic and see how we go.