Almost 3 year old behaviour

[FJR1008]

Help! My little boy, 2 years and 9 months, has always been such hard work. Of course it goes without saying he is my world, but sometimes I simply don't enjoy parenting him. He has always had big emotions, simple tasks can be a battle, now he has started to get physical with other children. He has okay social skills but gets overwhelmed when entering soft play/parties and it comes out as 'naughty' behaviour, so getting physical or just generally having meltdowns. He is child care 2 mornings a week, they don't seem to have any concerns.

Is this normal?!

I understand toddlers have meltdowns but I just wonder if there is more going on..It's the most frustrating thing in the world but I just wish I could help him regulate himself better. He has a new baby sister 3 months ago so things have ramped up but he has always been similar. Any advice?!

I think it's v normal. There is often a hitter, biter, pusher. Obviously it's up to you to work on decreasing and stopping this overtime. Don't pay it too much negative attention or be too dramatic. I definitely sounded as if I was pleading with mine at times, in a what on earth are you doing way. Are there triggers, ie angry, annoyed etc? My dc had none, just a random hit... drove me mad. He'll likely grow out of it and hopefully quite quickly - mine took a while.
Janet Lamsbury is v good on this- if you Google her and toddler hitting you'll get plenty of scenarios and scripts. Stay breezy, you're in charge, you won't let him hit and he'll soon get the picture. Best of luck.