My three and a half year old is a monster!?

You poor thing, I am so sorry and I feel your pain! They just keep going till you've exhausted all patience and your "nice mommy" voice is long gone. I hate being embarrassed out in public too. It makes my brain go into lock down and I get stumped on how to handle the situation.

I don't believe spanking works for every kid but if you've tried everything else that might be the thing that really gets his attention. Of course I wouldn't do it in public though. Tell him if he continues his behavior he is going to get a "consequence" when you get home (or you can take him into a restroom if that is available. Explain that a consequence is a spanking on his bottom. By calling it a consequence you also avoid him yelling "I don't want a spanking mommy!", in public.

When you get home keep your cool, you don't want to spank in anger or frustration because then you are moving towards abuse and not discipline. Its hard, but definitly possible. I believe this to be a last resort though and only for blaintant defiance.

First thing you should try though is to change your attitude. I know that seems impossible but you can do it. Try to get positive and focus on that. Constantly point out when he is behaving well, to the point of a broken record, all day long. It can go a long way. Examples: "that is great sharing", "i love the way you rare listening to mommy", "you are such a good helper" etc.

Remember every day is a new day and you have the chance to do something better than you did the day before. I'm sure you are a great mom and your son is not a monster, just a little difficult:)

One more thing, maybe he was tired? Try to be very conscience of his sleep and appetite. Sometimes my daughter gets whiney and cranky but won't tell me she's hungry. I will say, "do you need a snack?" and she will say yes. Usually about 15 min later she is happy again. If you want to help avoid tantrums you have to be on top of rest, hunger level and over stimulation. Sometimes I've realized my daughter has been to busy for a few days and we just hang out at home for a day or so.

Good luck!

Some kids respond well to time-outs, removing toys, etc. Some kids just don't and continually cross the line no matter what you do and need a spank on the behind to make them behave. I usually spank only when it's my only option left and that situation above sounds exactly like how my Toddler acts in public. After a swift whack on the butt he stops just as quickly as he started because he realizes that's not anything that mommy will tolerate. Sounds like your three year old doesn't respect your authority. Have a conversation with him in Toddler terms that when he acts like that it makes mommy very upset/sad but only after he's calmed down.

Toddlers are little human beings they have intense emotions and have no idea what to do with them (do many adults even?).

Look at it from his point of view, hes 3 he wants what he wants, the world should revolve around him, and the one person who should love him unconditionally can''t stand to be around him (understandably, I am not trying to be mean you sound like an awesome mom). Our parents make us go places, move when we want to stay, sit still when we want to move around.

Let him express himself (to a point). Tell him you are sorry he hurts, is angry, sad extra and then just be there for him. Then let him know you need to walk, or take the bus.

Try reading on attachment parenting (they take it to the extreme sometimes but I found there point of view very eye opening).

He can't control himself, he is 3. He is pushing your buttons, but you are pushing his too and your an adult. Be compassionate and feel sorry for him when he makes you want to punish him.

Well it sounds like you were doing everything other than a spanking. I know some people think its wrong but to me that's what I do with kids and when I was a kid I was given a spanking when i didn't behave and I turned out fine. I always respected my mom when she told me to do something because I knew that if I didn't it was spanking time. Everyone doesn't have to believe in spanking but if the other things don't seem to work then what other choice do you have other then to let your child grow up to be a bratt.

To the persons who speak approximately rehabilitation, that's for drug customers, alcoholics, burglars perhaps. But now not in anyway form or sort murderers, rapists or scum like this. People like that who spout garbage like rehabilitation at all times are failing within the obligation to guard the general public. The regulation abiding publics rights must come earlier than that of a crook. When will persons be taught that vengeance must be facet of a reasonable justice procedure? When horriffic crimes like this are dedicated, retribution must be implemented at the perpetrators. I ponder whether the younger women household could have talked approximately rehabilitation? Or could they rather have all of them crushed to a pulp, gang raped and disfigured with caustic soda themselves earlier than locking them away? Exactly. It is not more than what they inflicted in this younger woman, and it's a minimum of what those scumbags deserve. Apologies for the rant, I attempted to be as well mannered as viable. Very emotive discipline.

My son is 2, and acts the same exact way, except that I ride the train.Super embarassing, I tried everything, I even bought him a little portable dvd player so he can a watch a movie while we ride. Thank God i no longer have to take him with me.

Maybe you can bribe him, let's say, some ice cream after you get off the bus, if you behave, or his favorite snack or candy..

If he keeps acting up I think you should spank him at home, after he behaves that way. Explain to him while he's behaving that way, that you will spank him when he gets home, hopefully he will change his attitude.

Well I'm old fashioned. I believe in spanking. Many parents don't. And that's fine. Nobody is to tell you how to raise your child or what to do. But if my kid actd like that he would of got a swift little smack on the behind after persistantly warning him to behave there is no excuse. Kids are defiant. We all know that. They like to push buttons to see how far we will go. But they need to know whose boss. Children should be allowed to have tantrums they just have to know that your also not going to be one to sit there and listen to it. I would of simply walked away from him as he's tantruming. Most likely he would of gotten up and followed. Then if that didn't work I'd spank his butt. But that's just what I would of done. Not alot of people agree and that's okay too.