3 Year Old Behavior - Livonia,MI

3 year olds are testing their limits. The not listening is totally normal. Be kind but firm and consistent. Personally, I don't care for sending kids to their rooms. I think their rooms should be a safe place, not a place for punishment or attitude readjustment. If sent there too often for punishment, he might not want to go to bed or even go play in his room. I would suggest a "naughty chair" or "naughty mat" placed away from everyhing so he has to sit w/ no talking or books and be bored. Talk to him and tell him what will happen if he doesn't listen to you and then follow through. No disussion, just pick him up and put him on the chair/mat. If he gets up...and he will...still no talking, just put him back. He will get it eventually and you will not have to yell at him or use any spanking. It works!

He's only 3yo. He's still prone to LOTS of compulsive behavior. I think your expectations may be out of line with his developmental abilities. Perhaps you could modify your expectations to reflect his abilities moreso. Afterall, life becomes pretty miserable when the person you look up to, admire, love, etc. has expectations of you that lead to constant failure.

http://brainrules.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-is-it-so-hard-...

Welcome to the trying threes.

L.,
He is a tree boy who needs to be reminded and taught over and over again what it is to be a good person. Childhood is a really long time that requires lots of guidance,perseverance,and kindness toward our children. Some of the best advice I have received is "be worthy of imitation" in every aspect of life. We are mirrors and our children will reflect back to us what they see, and hear us do day in and day out. Good Luck!
J. O
mom to six

I second SH's method....I actually used to hold my son's chin gently and have him look at me to deliver the message when he was selectively listening. I spoke very softly and stayed there until he quit acting out and got under control. He used to throw fits every time we went to a restaurant that wasn't his choice....we'd immediately go to the ladies room and have a gentle talk.....my husband was always amazed when we came to the table because of the abrupt attitude adjustment. He always wondered what really went on in the ladies room.......:)

Kneel down, look at him, in a calm voice say "look at Mommy....." then proceed with what you want to tell him.

Kids this age do NOT have fully developed impulse-control yet, either.

Boys are busy dudes.
I have a boy. He's 4 now.

With my son, what works is when I tell him "Let's be a TEAM...." he likes that.

I haven't read her book, but Dr. Sears has some excellent advice for this:

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior

this link will specifically address how to talk so your child will listen:
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior/25-w...

Just want to remind you that he's only 3 and it sounds like you're doing well parenting him. Be patient with the process. Consistency and gentleness are the main things.

I have a 3 year old. It's good that he does stop after you say "uh oh". 3 is still young, I would think that by you continuing to say it, you're continuing to reinforce in his head that his behavior isn't ok and he'll eventually just stop the bad behavior on his own. So, I think you'll probably start to notice that you need to say "uh oh" to him less and less as he gets older.