Anyone else going through the terrible 3's? His behaviour seems to be getting worse not better - not all the time, but especially around other children. He gets very defensive and aggressive if another child (of a similar age) comes near him when he is playing, whereever he is playing or god forbid tries to take a toy from him. He has starting hitting and biting a lot, and nothing we seem to do or say is making him stop. We have tried instant time out, removal of toys / rewards, removing him from the situation (ie taking him straight home if at park or somewhere fun) but nothing seems to sink in and the behaviour isnt changing.

I should stress that he has very good language skills for his age, so he is perfectly capable of communicating with words (which just makes it even more frustrating).

We have a zero tolerance for biting, hitting etc in our house (and towards other people), but just running out of will power and ideas to manage it.

He goes to preschool 3 mornings a week and they havent noticed a problem, but I think that there is so much to do there that they kind of all leave each other alone to a certain extent.

Why cant he play with kids his own age nicely like other kids? Have I done something really wrong?

Help?!!?!?!

terrible 3's -YES. Never had a trouble with the terrible 2's but the moment she hit 3 Since then I had often had people comment that 3 is harder than 2. We don't have problems with hiting etc (thank goodness), but its more getting her to listen and do what we ask, and the awful tantrums (over the most smallest thing).

Sorry can't think of anything else other that what you have mentioned, but basically just wanted to say it is nothing that you are doing wrong.....its just an age thing.