to think most parents of four year old boys worry about this....

[DunnTrying]

Think at various stages That their sons (may well apply to girls as well but I've only experience of boys!!) either are deaf, having hearing issues or are adhd? The inability of my son to sit still for more than 2 seconds or listen to anything I say makes me question this ten times a day!! However whenever I talk to others about this, including teacher friends and gps I'm reassured most parents of 4yr olds think this.

I almost started a similar thread last night!

DS is 6 and whilst rummaging in the cups/glasses cupboard we had this exchange last night:

DS: "Mum can you get the computer thing because I just need to..."
Me: "No, it's past bedtime and you need a bath. You've had all night to do it."
DS: "I'm just getting a drink"

I then poured him some water...

DS: "Not the computer just you know the pad one"
Me: "No, your Dad's upstairs your bath will be getting cold"
DS: "I need to look at my dojo. I need another glass. Is Dad outside?"
Me: "Dad is upstairs waiting for you to hop in the bath. Use the same glass."
DS: "It's a blue one with massive eyes and really funny. Can you get the pad computer?"
Me: "No- show me tomorrow. Go up and get in the bath now- Dad's waiting!"
DS: "Is this the same glass?"
Me: "Yes. drink it and get in the bath!"
DS: "I'm waiting for Dad!!"
Me: "I've told you 3 times he's upstairs waiting for you"
DS: "With the pad?"

I'm not even joking!

catgot I hadn't read the article, I was just adding a few things from my.experience.

No, I just think that I am dreadful at parenting, pack them all off to bed (where they invariably won't stay), drink some wine and thank goodness that we can start again tomorrow...and possibly somewhere along the way read the odd parenting book.

Applies to girls too. I ended up taking my then 4yo dd to a hearing test at our local hospital, came back as hearing is fine, within normal range.
Then, on the way home, she says to me 'mummy, sometimes I hear but don't feel like answering...'

It's is hard. All my boys are like huge bouncy puppies who struggle to sit/stand still. Eldest does have adhd diagnosis so I struggle with what's adhd and what's normal little boy behaviour

And the 1,2,3 method works wonders on selective hearing. They have until the count of 3 to get in bath, out clothes away - whatever Iv asked them to do. Then if they don't do it by 3 it's a time out, or 5 mins computer time lost or 5 mins off bedtime. Amazing how much gets done on the count of 1 now and arguments have been cut

Never thought either DS had ADHD when they were 4. Did think DS2 was deaf, turned out I was right

I have a four year old boy and I've never worried about that.

It definitely isn't a gender thing. There are many placid boys,and very, very full on girls. It can be either their personality or a special need.

I took DS to the GP about his hearing at 4, I was referred to a specialist who advised told me his hearing was perfect, he just wasn't responding

He is now a pre-teen who can decipher almost silent, private conversations from a football pitch away. Sigh, deaf as a post to champion eavesdropper in under 12 years....bloody kids!