Just turned 3, behaviour gone very aggressive/bolshy

[wildstrawberryplace]

Is there some sort of normal behavioural change at about 3 that would explain this:

DS just turned 3. He's always been "spirited" but he has now started bellowing really loudly, headbutting, kicking, hitting etc. Usually when he's told no, or doesn't get what he wants right away. Mostly towards me, but sometimes DH (he will snatch his dads glasses off and throw them on the floor everytime instead of hitting him).

He does seem to get angry very quickly, sometimes I can distract him, others not, sometimes I can talk to him sternly and he'll listen, others it seems the situation just has to play out.

He's very bossy, he says he is the captain of the ship and he's not joking.

I do try to jolly him out of it and start other activities, but sometimes I am thinking, er no actually you should just do what you're told. Especially as some of his escapades involve running away if you don't watch him like a hawk. He pulled his hand out of mine and ran into the road the other day, I think specifically because I told him not to . Thank god there were no cars around.

Just wondering if this seems familiar to parents of other spirited boys?

I am going to say yes....3 is a nightmare!

I thought 2 was bad but actually now ds is 3 he can be a nightmare.

He has 3-4 days per week of reasonable behaviour (generally does what he is told after a couple of warnings and a few mild temper moments) then the rest of the week he deliberately sets out to push the boundaries with cheek, shouting, throwing things, hitting etc.

I have spoken to other parents of 3yo and older and they say 3 (ante pre) and 5 (primary) are when they faced a battle for independence

It's threenager syndrome! Apparently perfectly normal behaviour for an perfectly sweet DC to turn into a little monster around three. I also have one you see (3year old that is not....... well, actually she is a monster at times)and posted on here with a similar question. Was delighted with the flood of people all going through a ver similar thing.

Something else I recently found out (MN is very informative!) is that boys experience a testosterone surge around 3/4 and this can lead to increased aggression for a while but it settles down eventually.
Hope this helps, keep grinning through it , it's either that or tears so whatever works for you

Aha, yes I was wondering about the testosterone thing...makes sense.

Moved onto a new level today...his new response to me saying "No you can't have another biscuit it is nearly lunchtime" is now to simply run up bellowing "Yes!" and boot me in the shins.

Blimey, the joys I may have to look for as my son appears to be entering this phase now with the constant back chat and screaming shouting!