Hi everyone

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions here. DS1 will be 3 next month, and he's generally a loveable little guy with plenty of personality. But, I find that he is at the stage (and has been for a while now) where he just refuses to listen to anything I say. And when he does choose to listen, if I say black, he says white. Its like he's determined to go exactly the opposite of what I say. Like if he's doing something dangerous or silly, I'll ask him calmly to stop, explaining why he shouldn't do it etc. The minute I stop talking, he does it again....and again....and again.....

Its getting to the point where i'm ready to just give up and save my breath because some days I just get so worked up inside and frustrated with the whole thing that if I don't let it go, I'll lose it completely. but then on the other hand, i don't want him thinking its ok to do whatever he pleases, especially if there is danger involved (eg, about to jump off the back of the lounge or something equally silly).

Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to get him to listen to me? I don't want to at him all day for doing the wrong thing, but he seems to enjoy it. I try to pick my battles and let very minor things slide, but its getting hard because it seems he's doing more and more things he shouldn't be. he went through a stage a while ago where his behaviour improved a great deal (just after I pulled him out of daycare due to being constantly sick from the germs that float around that place), however since Christmas he's started again and is worse than ever.

Any advice, opinions or stories would be ever so welcome!

Thanks