3yo hitting me and bad behaviour

[crymeout]

Hi everyone, posting here as I'm at my wits end

DS is the light of my life, I absolutely adore him. Usually, he's a very sweet and loving boy but for a few weeks I can't say anything that doesn't upset him/set him off crying and screaming, and when he gets very upset he hits me, over again until I move away. He's also hitting my Dp who he thinks the world of and adores. He's not behind speech wise and has the capacity to communicate with words but that only happens after I calm him down after. He's also making a huge fuss at teeth brushing- refuses to let me do it now so I have to restrain him to do it. Same with dinner- refuses to eat it when he used to be such a good eater. He eats breakfast and lunch but refuses dinner full stop. Screams when I say it's dinner time. He's as good as gold at nursery. What am I doing wrong?

Do his teeth hurt? Has he been to the dentist?

@MolliciousIntent his teeth aren't bothering him, yes he's been recently. Once the brushing begins he's fine (unless it's when he's being held) and laughs and says he was silly.

Is he in pain? Has anything significant happened? What about at nursery?Don't restrain him that won't help in long run. If he smacks say no and give him 3 min time out. Everytime. No conversation/attention. When he's not struggling/lashing out share a book or talk about kind hands - a positive talk about what we do rather than what we don't do. Meal times, put food out he likes leave it out for a while give him plenty of opportunity to eat but no bribery/threats etc he eats what he eats. Minimal attention to the negative behaviours. Lots of positive attention- praise, encouraging, activities he enjoys etc. role model the behaviours you want.

How long has he been at nursery - maybe it stresses him , despite being good as gold, and he takes it out on you and his DF.