How to Handle a 3 Yr Olds and No's

You don't have to answer to the "no."

Just keep going or doing what is meant to be done.

They just say no sometimes, just for no reason.
Its a stage.

And, no point in debating about it, with the child. Its just going to be a battle.
Or you say "today is opposite day!"

Or you say "you can do this, or nothing." or, "You can have this or (and name something you know she does not want)." so that they end up answering yes, to the original request.

When you give her requests, do not ask her, instead instruct her.

"I need you to put on your pajamas now. Would you like my help or would you like to do it yourself?"

"It is time for dinner, I need you to wash your hands. Thank you."

"We will be leaving for the store in 5 minutes, put away your art supplies. Thank you. "

"I am giving you 5 minutes to brush your teeth and then get into your bed."

This takes the place of "will you please put on your pj's"
"Could you please put away your art supplies so we can go to the store?"

First off, she can't refuse everything with a 'no' and expect to get away with it.
Sometimes the answer to 'no' is 'too bad, so sad' or 'tough - you're taking your medicine whether you like it or not' - some things are NOT negotiable.
When my son got a bad case of the 'no's', sometimes I could tickle him out of it or I'd pick a song we knew like 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' and sing with all the words substituted with 'no' - all the while getting dressed/changed/whatever he was resisting and before you knew it we were done.
If you give her choices make sure both options are acceptable.
When 'no' is not an option, don't ask - just tell her to do what ever needs doing.

Haha, yes, they LOVE to say no! And just because they can! Even when you are telling them, and not asking, because after a series of no no no, you are fed-up and are down right TELLING them, LOL... But, I always try to find one thing to say I'm not going to do for my DD if she doesn't comply. Example; if it's bed time and she gives me the No's to brushing, then I say "well, then I won't read books" (it's her favorite part of bedtime, you'll have to use your DD's fav thing) but that works, and she comes running. Ex; If we planned a trip to the mall/grocery etc.. and she doesn't want to get ready, then I say, "well then I'm leaving, I have to go, you can stay" (and I grab my keys) she comes running. Or, I will say "then we won't stop at the Teddy Bear store" (at the mall, we always have to stop for 5 minutes for her to look, another fav thing). I also tell her, that if she says No to me, then I will start saying No to her, and then I do for EVERYTHING as teaser, she gets it, starts laughing, and then complies as she is saying "Nooooo"... The thing I have found, is to not let it frustrate you, but, be thinking ahead for the antidote! It's definitely a phase that will keep you on your toes! Good luck!!

If it's not a question, then no doesn't work as well. Instead of "Ready to go to bed?" you can phrase it as a statement of "Time for bed." Mine definitely will say no in answer to a question if she can/wants to, but there's not really an option if I phrase it as a statement that basically says "this is what we're going to do, end of story."

If you figure it out let me know!!! My grandson is the same way. He is really just testing.He says no to things that have to be done. He eventually
does them. At this age they are becoming independent and wants to see
what works and what does not LOL.

Make sure she knows that no is not an option when it comes to rules such as eating time, dinner time and bed time. Other than that there are times it will be allowed. Then stick to what you decide the no is not acceptable in and she will learn quickly where no is ok and when it is not. She will do great!

I agree, pick your battles.
also, it is how you word it. How is your tone? Sometimes it's not what you say it is how you say it too. I tell my kids to use their nice words, so I better too.

There is a great book called Children the Challenge.
Amazon sells it.

For starters, try Your choice is ____ or _____
Your choice is clean up your toys now or after this show. If you don't choose I will choose for you. Still won't clean up then say, if you choose not to clean up your toys then I will get a bag and the toys will be taken away for :(give a time ie 3 days)
Never end your statements with " OK". Say understand?
be consistent. Always always follow through with what you say.
Timers work great.
You have 10 minutes to get dressed. When the buzzer goes off and you're not dressed your teacher will dress you at school.
hope this helps.
D.

Try being more playful? Instead of giving orders, make the thing you want her to do fun, and try to be polite with your timing. Don't interrupt her watching a show, or in the middle of a project, etc.
If I want my husband to do something, he can say "in a minute" "at the commercial" etc., and I accept that from my daughter, too. They aren't my minions to order around. :) And my husband gives me the same courtesy, and I'm betting my daughter will when she's old enough to be able to.

Maybe instead of asking yes/no questions, you can give her two choices: when near bedtime ask "do you want to brush your teeth OR get in your pajamas first?" I don't know it might work! Good luck!

You teach her to respond to you with a "YES MOM!" E.g. "Jane, it's time to put your pajama's on." Jane says, "No thanks mom, not right now." You reply with "Yes mom, I'll put my pajama's on now." If she refuses to obey you then you have a different situation on your hands that you'll have to deal with. But the trick is to get her to say yes to you and repeat the task that you've requested. This way you know she's heard and acknowledged you and it gives you a break from all the "NO's."

She is trying to control her environment, and she has learned that amusing negative answers won't get her in trouble like if she just says "no". I have to say (having a precocious 3 yo myself) that those answers would make me smile and laugh too! :)
What I have learned is that some things are going to be a battle -- because a 3 year old just cannot control their environment the way they want to. However, I also had to step back and take a look at what our battles were over and decide if they were worth it. After much reflection, I figured out that they weren't. I don't battle my daughter over what she wears, eats (since we have only healthy stuff in the house), plays, reads, or wants to do (most of the time). The only things I take a stand on are when it really matters -- bedtime and running errands (where we have a schedule) and I stick to my guns. She can say no cutely, she can scream and holler, she can throw a temper tantrum, but when I say it has to be done, then it has to be done. This is much easier when it is something that REALLY has to be done and isn't just what I want to be done. Since I have reduced the things she cannot have her way on, have emphasized the things she can choose her way on, and really stick to the things that are the rules life is much less filled with "No" from her and her brother.
And it isn't just 3 yo that do this -- they will periodically test you to see how much they can control their lives for their entire lives.
Hang in there!