Hello all,

I am a father of a 4 year old son who is just absolutely a nightmare right now. I know where to point the finger however doing so really won't help the problem.

So as with most parents I have a son that is supposedly an angel at school/church/outings etc. He listens to the teachers and is very obedient and has apparently become a model for other kids.

However, that all changes when he gets home. He turns into a little devil. Ordering his parents around, demanding things, throwing temper tantrums etc. I have tried everything:

-time outs (he just refuses to stay in one place)

-taking away toys when he is bad (he is determined to get it no matter what. Last time he spent 2 hours trying to get the toy I left on top of the fridge)

-speaking softly....speaking loudly (all same, "I don't like you" response or "NO!")

-I have tried ignoring him (that works well for about the first 3 hours until either my wife or I give in)

-I have given myself time outs and tried to avoid him but he follows me everywhere.

-I have even tried spanking, guess what that resulted in...nothing

So I am at a loss. I don't know what to do and it is driving me and the wife crazy.

Should a child therapist be the next step?