Terrible twos at three..

[lovelybear]

Hi my son has just turned three..He is a happy contented boy and is very popular with his nursery friends and staff. His behaviour at home and outside the house has become extreme . I have regular sessions where he runs off, refuses to hold my hand, shouts "no" . He has alot of attention at home, although he attends nursery 5 days a week. I am struggling to reason with him, yet at nursery he will conform. I am very stressed and feel I am letting him and the family down by the lack of behaviour management.

My dd was more like this, having sailed through the twos without so much as a murmur (oh how smug I felt!)
Turning 3 she became stroppy and arguementative, but it was a fairly short-lived phase. It coincided with her starting nursery where she was on her best behaviour. I think she just needed to let go when not in nursery, knowing that I would still love her even if she was stroppy. I think she was also tired by it to start with.
Has your ds recently started nursery or increased his hours? Is he tired?
Sorry not to have any great suggestions, but with dd it was over quite soon. I found just being understanding (that it was tiring,etc) while still being firm with what I did and did not find acceptable behavoiur.

BTW we went through it all again for a short while when she started school {grin]

I too have had exactly the same experience. When DS turned three he started going to nursery for 5 mornings a week. Whilst he was fine there, he became a right old pain at home! Always shouting and being rude etc. Anyway this probably lasted for about 6-9 months and now he is great. Still a pain occasionally but generally a lovely little boy. I know know if it is an age thing or starting nursery (probably both) but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We were pretty strict with him but made sure he got lots of rest etc.

I had this too, easy-going dd1 turned into monster threenager when she started pre-school - and then just as quickly came out of it again. I found using the pre-school's discipline methods at home realy useful. For instance, the staff ask a child to do something once nicely. If they get no response they ask once firmly. They then say, 'xxxxI will count to three, and if you do not come here/give me that I will pick you up and carry you/come and take it away. One two three.' I now do this with dd1 and blow me, it works!

Supernanny is back on Tuesday. I like the naughty step idea - if only I could get him to sit on it.. the bedroom has far too many attractions.