how do you stop a 3.5 year old being grumpy to his friends?

[hollingbury]

My son can be really good fun, then quite cross and grumpy and bossy. I've talked to him about it but it hasn't done much good.

Is it a phase that a lot of them go through this age? I fear he's going to alienate his little mates.

Any advice welcome.

Is he just bossy in a "you do this, I'll do that" way, or is there more to it? I find mine can be a bit bossy, but not grumpy towards friends (although definitely grumpy towards me!) have his friends reacted to it?

Grumpy as in cross. Bossy. Controlling. Not very nice!

I don't think his friends know what to do. The quieter ones do nothing; the stronger ones push back

Hmmm - hard to know whether it's just toddler strops, or something more. I guess if it's just now and again, that's quite common, but if it's frequent, maybe ask nursery, if he goes to nursery? I do know one little boy in my daughter's peer group who is ALWAYS grumpy and unpleasant with other children. For various reasons, I am almost sure it is because he is often tired. Is your DS a good sleeper? Sorry, not much help - just thinking aloud.