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AIBU?

to sometimes feel so suffocated by my 4yr old?

40 replies

iProcrastinate · 05/05/2013 13:31

I feel so bad about complaining about this! I just want to find out whether I'm the only one (and therefore a horrible mother) or whether other people feel like this sometimes!

I love my 4yr old DD to pieces and wouldn't change her for the world, but sometimes she makes me feel so suffocated and claustrophobic! I'm hiding in the loo with the laptop to write this!

She is VERY talkative - literally feels the urge to fill every second of the day with CONSTANT questions (often the same one over and over, which I answer every time until I get sick of it and tell her to stop asking the same sodding question). We've just had lunch and once she had finished hers, the dialogue went like this:

"Are you drinking your drink, Mummy?"
"Are you drinking it all?
"Is it nice?"
"Can I have it?"
"Can I have Cbeebies on?"
"I want Cbeebies on?"
"Can I have some pudding"
"Can I have it now?"
"Now?"
"How many sleeps till my birthday?" (it was last week)
"Is it preschool tomorrow?"
"Can I play upstairs?"
"Are you drinking your drink?"
"Are you?"
"Are you?"

I was answering - although if I paused to answer every single question then I'd probably starve to death or pass out from lack of oxygen!

Any gaps in speech were filled with "Mummy? Mummy? Mummy? Mummy?"

I DO give her a lot of 1:1 during the day, we play a lot together and do things, and she will play alone, although conversing constantly throughout.

If I sit down she will climb on my knee and put her face right into mine, if I protest or try to lift her down she clamps on koala-like. She is on my case CONSTANTLY and can be quite bossy. If she is ever in another room she will pelt me with questions at an increasing volume until I have no choice but to stop what I'm doing and go to her. Most of her questioning has no reason to it, some of the questions have no sensible answer ("Where is the cat going?") or have incredibly obvious answers that she already knows - she asked me what her name was early, just to fill a gap between breaths.

Sorry that became a rant! That feels better! I feel less like I want to scream "JUST SHUT UP!" now!

Please tell me I'm not alone!

OP posts:
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Choccyjules · 05/05/2013 16:02

Another 4yr old just like that here. I always feel guilty, as I know (work with) families who would kill to hear their child say one word ever (very special children)...yet it can drive you insane.

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MrsTerryPratchett · 05/05/2013 16:06

Is it like ?

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ClartyCarol · 05/05/2013 16:14

We have got three DDs like this and I am like a limp dishcloth by the time they're finally in bed. I back out of their bedrooms, head going like a nodding dog, repeating, "Yes, yes ok, but it's time for sleep now," whilst they still continue to chunter at me from their beds.

I often go straight to lie on our bed in a practically meditative state, bathing in the blissful silence Grin.

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alienbanana · 05/05/2013 16:16

Bloody hell... Do you never crack and just tell them shut up?

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kotinka · 05/05/2013 16:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

exexpat · 05/05/2013 16:22

My two were both like that, but by four were old enough to understand (when told) that mummy needed a little bit of peace and quiet sometimes. Occasionally mummy even had to develop a headache and go and have a lie down...

DD is 10 now and still needs reminding sometimes that she doesn't have to say out loud every single fleeting thought that crosses her mind.

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ditsydoll · 05/05/2013 16:28

Haha it's like your describing my 4yo Dd op! I'm due with dc2 in just over 2 weeks and it can be tiring (although I wouldn't change her for the world)
Sometimes I'd just like some head space to think about something... Anything really lol.

Starting to think poor dc2 will probably never get a word in edgeways!

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snotfunny · 05/05/2013 16:33

I have a 4yr old DSS. I find I sometimes have to go upstairs and leave him to his Dad because he doesn't draw breath for hours at a time. It doesn't help that, although I get on ok with his mother, She can be very bossy and stubborn and, quite often, when DSS is wittering on, it's her voice I can hear. He tells me what to do endlessly. When I'm driving him around I'm going the wrong way, I should be taking a short cut, why have we stopped? Why aren't we moving? Where are we now? Can't you go faster? My Mummy doesn't drive this way...

aaargh.

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NumTumDeDum · 05/05/2013 16:34

Ha my dd (4) is also like this. I can just about cope with the incessant pestering, chattering, humming and tuneless singing. It's the constant interruptions if I dare to attempt a conversation with an adult that I can't stand. I am firmly convinced she thinks I invite my friends over for her to chat to and not the other way around. I also can't stand her yelling to me from wherever she is in the house. I never got away with or did this. I asked my dad about it and he just said he had a zero tolerance policy. I think I'd rather parent my way than his way as I remember being a bit scared of his temper. I guess I'll just have to give the 123, naughty step routine a bit more use and be more consistent.

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EmmaBemma · 05/05/2013 16:36

"I consider myself as an introverted extrovert lol "

As an aside, I've been reading about this recently because I'm a bit like you. Apparently it's a myth that introverts are shy and retiring and that. I thought there's no way I'm an introvert because I'm quite chatty and outgoing and enjoy company - but I find it draining as well: being around people takes up a lot of energy and I need to recharge on my own afterwards. Anyway, as you were - just thought it was interesting!

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SuffolkNWhat · 05/05/2013 16:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JulieCarp · 05/05/2013 21:08

Children dont implode if you tell them that:
"No dont stand on me it hurts"
"I am tired - its quiet time now"
Teaching your child about social boundaries is good and a positive thing, why anyone would allow a 4 year old to dictate to them is beyond me.
It is ok to say No to your children Really, they will be ok

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JulieCarp · 05/05/2013 21:10

No doubt this wil be a terrible thing to actually come out wiith and I will be hounded off the thread ...

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FreudiansSlipper · 05/05/2013 21:18

ds is like this he is 5

he comes into my room in the morning and it starts the questions followed by a lecture and a question and answer session that lasts all day. I do tell him to let me have some quiet time does not last long and it is just me and ds

He caught me mumbling to myself please do shut up Blush of course he asked questions about this I lied and told him i was talking to the cat

i had his friends round today and they are the same it was exhausting I am already in bed

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thepixiefrog · 05/05/2013 22:05

JulieCarp, I think most of the people on this thread are capable of, and probably do, say no as and when the situation requires.

Some children are just not great 'self starters' and will always look to someone else as a source of entertainment/stimulation, and it has nothing to do with the style of parenting. Saying 'no' cannot change a child's personality.

I agree whole heartedly that boundaries are vital, and nowhere on this thread has anyone indicated that they believe otherwise. Your assumptions are puzzling.

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