Ahhhh three year olds!! So determined to do things their way

We've had a similar issue with DS when we've required an apology (eg for doing something he knows full well is not on - eg biting etc), and at first it turns into a 'DS acts like the wounded bull' and cries and asks for Mummy cuddles.

Most of the time (!!) what has worked is to say he can certainly have Mummy Cuddles - but he needs to say sorry first - we tell him him he has two choices - sit by the bookcase (which is kind of a time out spot) OR say sorry and have a cuddle. Sometimes he picks the timeout, and will sit there and carry on for a bit in tantrum mode - Usually I leave him for a few minutes, then get down there with him and ask him if he is ready to say sorry yet if he wont, I walk away and come back a few minutes later and busy myself so he thinks I am not watching his behaviour, sometimes I do this multiple times until he finally says sorry, then I give him lots of praise for doing the right thing by apologising and we have a little 'chat' about manners and whats the right thing to do.

This only works when I am able to stay calm myself LOL