Three Year Olds

Well, as you can see, this post is going to be about Clarence.

Lately, his behavior has been just crazy. 
One minute he's an angel, the next, a monster. 

He'll be fine helping me do something, then totally tune me out. 

He'll be happy and satisfied playing, then start screaming because he heard the tractor start up and he's not in it.

He tells me he'll be a good boy at church, then when we get there, he goes limp, runs around, ignores me, and does whatever he wants.

I'm sort of at a loss for how to handle this situation.

So, I googled "three-year old behavior".

It's normal everyone....completely normal.

The first article I read said:

• They are more mobile and expressive...they know how to ask for things, how to get things they want, and how to scream when you say "no".  They don't know how to use adult logic, though.
• They want independence...they want to push boundaries and stretch limits.  The article told me this is how a child learns and gains confidence.
• They think everything is the end of the world....as far as rules go.
• They have a short attention span unless they are engaged in some activity (like Clarence when he gets on his feeding cows thing, or corralling Ruby, our dog)

How to deal with it?

• The only suggestion this article gave was to try and enter their world.
• Which means:  if they are whining about a toy or something, try and talk to them about it positively with them to calm them down, then gradually change the subject.  Talk to them like a child, because they are a child.
• In theory, it's probably a good idea....it's just something I need to remember at my most frustrating moments.
• Another article suggested:
• Choose your battles...definitely a big one for me, too. I need to let some things go.  But when and which ones?
• A quote from this article: "Little kids can control little things." 
• That's definitely something I need to remember.  At this age, he still doesn't know what's best for him.  I can let him choose things so he feels like he has some control, but ultimately, he still needs to listen.

Anyway, I've had some struggles lately and an unsure of how to handle them.  Any advice would be gladly welcomed!

Have a super day!