I am new here but I though I would try this. I need some advice!! My oldest son just turned 3 and I am looking for a good way to break him of telling me "no" for everything. When he does this I put him in time out in the corner. I usually go in the other room (I can still see and hear him) and play with the 8 month old. But, then he just throws a fit and begins to say "shut up mommy". This is a big problem and I do not want it to get worse. The time out is not working.

Please help!!

Hello and welcome!

First of all I would ask how he knows the term shut-up. Do you ore your dh use it? If so, stop! He is learning his vocabulary from you, so if you don't want him saying it don't let him hear you say it. I would have a talk with him and let him know how hurtful words can be and bring in some examples he can relate to. Every time he says something like that put him in time out and have a talk about feelings. Some good book series are Joy Berry's Let's Talk About series, we love them. They have one Let's Talk About Saying No. Sounds to me like he is being a normal 3 year old boy testing you. You just have to remain calm and consistent with him. One warning then time out, every time. He might be jealous of the baby also, that is another issue to deal with seperately. Make sure he is getting enough alone time with you and daddy time also. Special big boy perks when he is good, maybe make a sticker chart for good behavior with a certain number of stickers earning a certain treat. Like 10 stickers new book, 15 stickers trip to park with mom, etc.
That's all I can think of right now, my 3 year old son is a terror if it makes you feel better! Not with his mouth though- he's the mess maker of the family. Think egging play room (that was when he was 2), toilet papering house, etc. Although he is better in good weather when I can let him play outside all day.

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I am only one, but I am one. I can not do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do. -Edward Hale

I have a three year old son and he is a terror, one thing that has helped him is that I put in a preschool and he loves it. So he is getting better about always saying no to me and just being nice to the whole family.