I just know this has to be it. DD1 had a phase about a year ago which was similar to terrible two's. Now everything is upside down again from tantrums to eating to sleep.
How long did it last? What worked? What didnt work?
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the 3's were the hardest year for charlie. the techniques from how to talk so your kids will listen really helped a lot.
http://www.hellobee.com/2012/06/26/the-best-parenting-book-ive-ever-read/
mr. bee was a lot better at it than i was because oh man was my patience tested at times! it's better now in the 4's, but we still deal with residual threenage tantrums.
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We are right there too. Bedtime is a nightmare every night and now we are dealing with night wakings more frequently! Curious to hear other suggestions too!
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One word: consistency. They become master negotiators at this age. Give 'em an inch, they take a mile? That's 3. So I rarely budge on things, or if I do, I am SUPER CLEAR about why and not to expect the same thing next time, etc.
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Oh my yes @Mrs. Yoyo! I have a newly turned 3 yr old. A couple Friday nights ago, as a special treat we let him watch an episode of Paw Patrol in our bedroom before he went to his room for books. It was a Friday night. We snuggled as a family. It was so sweet. Even the dog joined us.
And now he asks for a Paw Patrol episode in our bed. Every single night. And when we say no, he freaks out and has a meltdown. Every night.
We were not super clear that it was an exception that one Friday night. Fail!
They are so master negotiators! He asks for chips before dinner. I say no. He says 'so I can have chips after dinner?' Because I'm tired and just want a stress free dinner I say yes, after dinner. And then he has me! If I can have chips after dinner, why not now? I want chips now! So I've learned to just say no and stick with it.
They are tiring! But also really funny- my husband and I crack up how smart he is and the reasoning he uses. -
Ditto @Mrs. Yoyo: on the give an inch they take a mile! They're excellent negotiators and remember everything. Definitely stay as consistent as possible!
We use the timer a lot to help her transition from one activity to another. 1,2,3 Magic... and the book/post @Mrs. Bee: referenced above have been really helpful for us.
One example of a "consistency fail" - we always set the timer for 5 minutes... and once it beeps her time is up and she needs to move on (whether it be bedtime, dinnertime, bathtime, whatever). Well, one time she asked for "one more minute", and DH obliged. Now, EVERY TIME is "one more minute". Le sigh.
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We are in this too. I'm at a loss. I can usually handle the negotiations without losing my patience but the blatant defiance is so hard!
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@Mrs. High Heels: Yes! Timers. Transition warnings. Always helpful! I *always* have to give a warning about when I'm going to turn off the TV, stop playing, take him upstairs for a nap ... otherwise, things can get ugly fast.
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Thanks everyone! I am sorry I have never replied to anyone
I notice that transition warnings have really really helped out a lot. I even go as far as letting her know the plan for the entire day. Still seeing lots of drama but it's good to know I am not alone out there 
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Ugh we are in the midst of threenage shenanigans and it is hard to not lose my patience! I, too, find that transition warnings help and also being firm. There have been too many instances of me giving in to a request and I am definitely paying for it. Bedtimes have been meltdown mania lately and I just want my easy bedtimes back.
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I'm not looking forward to the threes, but it'll be just a progression from the 2s tantrums I'm sure.
I notice that transition warnings have really really helped out a lot. I even go as far as letting her know the plan for the entire day. Still seeing lots of drama but it's good to know I am not alone out there 
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