DS, who was 4 in June, behaviour and attitude has gone downhill recently and I'm a bit worried about it. I'm aware of a number of factors that are likely to be contributing (starting school in September, new baby due at the same time, being very tired because of the heat and light nights) but I don't know what to do about it and DH has told me that he isn't like that when DH looks after him on the days I'm at work. DS's behaiour is often whiny and negative (never wants to do anything, try anything new etc) which is in contrast to how is usually is and how how he behaves when it's just DH and him together. He's fine with me if he's doing what he wants to do, but when he's not it's very challenging!
General whining I could probably cope with but he's also started saying that he's 'feeling sad' but can't give a reason why. When he feels like this he cries but is unable or unwilling to stop. This has started happening when he's at the childminders, where he goes twice a week. When I ask him about it he says he doesn't know why it happens and I think he's started to get into the habit of this behaviour, which is worrying as he's always enjoyed going there and it's upsetting and disruptive for everyone. I really don't want him behaving like this at school and labelling himself as 'sensitive' so that he can get out of doing anything he doesn't want to do by whinging and crying; and also believing that this kind of negative behaviour is really who he is. He's usually such a cheery, busy little boy and it's making me feel so .
It's occurred to me that I'm just too kind about it. I don't give in to what he wants when he's whining and crying but I do speak kindly to him, ask him what's wrong and say gently and perhaps not firmly enough that he needs to stop. DH is much firmer, which would explain why it doesn't happen with him. Does this sound reasonable? Is it the case that I just nees to be tougher with him? Any advice or suggestions would be very welcome! Sorry for the essay - 3rd trimester hormonal rambling kicking in!
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Behaviour/development
Whining and Generally Miserable Behaviour from DS (4)
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mummylikescake · 07/07/2009 10:31
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