My ds 8 and from about 2 has always been a difficult child, he was an incredibly happy and easy baby. Think it started when dd was born and he was 2. He's struggled to deal with his emotions and has lashed out when younger but not really now. An extremely forthright child who doesn't like being told what to do. We ve always thought he'd grow out of it, I have read books for him, parenting books, we have tried everything. Now he's 8 it seems to be worse, made worse by lockdown. His tantrums and wining has increased. He tantrums and throws himself on the floor multiple times a day, when asked to do his homework, have a bath, go to bed, got the 'wrong' breakfast it goes on. He tells me he hates me multiple times a day, he likes nothing, doesn't want to do anything, everything is no, everything is an argument, everything is hard work or not good enough. He's not grateful or happy with anything. He's rude. I try to be positive and try and get him to think more positively, he only focuses on the negative. He's a very bright boy and can freely talk about his feelings at a high level, says he can't control his brain, he happily tells me he's going to carry on with the tantrums, he likes it, he likes making us angry, it's funny to wind dd up and cause trouble. He has me in tears frequently and I regret to say I have lost it with him. He has driven me to the brink, I have realised I can't deal with him, I don't know what to do anymore. The house is unhappy, DH and I argue about him all the time, I don't want to around him, I used to dread collecting him from school. I have turned into the mum I didn't want to be. I have sought professional help but she can't see him face to face in lockdown- although ds currently refusing to see her anyway. I am finding it hard to last until then.