Hello I am new to this forum and so excited to finally find some support from people who have been in my shoes. I have a four year old little boy who I truly love with all my heart. He has always been a more challenging child, which I realize now that I have a two year old girl who has been so easy. Up until recently the issues i had with him were tiring but manageable. But within the past six months he has become increasingly aggressive with me and my husband, and occasionally his little sis. But my worst nightmare came true when he hit a sitter the other night and repeatedly told her he hates her. It has happened twice now with two different sitters. Whenever something doesn't go as my little guy has planned, he seems to go in to a quiet rage. He seems calm and calculated and will just walk across the room to begin atcking me by any means possible... Scratching, biting, punching, pulling my hair. I try to stay very calm with him and put him in his room until he is ready to come out, but I am literally getting exhausted from trying to stay calm and I feel like I am on eggshells all day long. Some additional info... He so far has not become violent to peers or anyone at preschool, but usually is quiet and well behaved. From my observations he just keeps to himself but will tolerate other children as needed. At home he is negative and seems to dislike/dread things kids usually , like going to the zoo, having play dates, dressing up for Halloween etc. He has been diagnosed with anxiety and our psychologist does not believe he is on the spectrum or has ODD. Just thinks he is an intense child with some immature coping skills. My biggest fear is his aggression is getting worse before it is getting better, by a long shot. I am so worried I will end up with a very defiant/ aggressive adolescent and adult. Oh and one more thing that makes him extra difficult to handle... He does not respond to any type of reinforcement ("bribing") or punishment ("threatening"). He will not be manipulated. If i threaten to take a toy, he will gladly throw it at me for the taking. He has always been this way. Does anyone have strategies to use for this type of strong-willed child, or an experience which will give me insight to his future that I so worry about?