Arrrggghhhhhhh

[arrrggghhhhhhh]

Hello.

My 4 year old ds is driving me potty with whining.

He finds it very hard to play on his own. Worse today due to rain.

He's sobbing (sort of fake) about the fact I'm cooking dinner and won't play with him. I've just played the shopping game. We've played fire engines today. Plus several other games.

He whined all morning about wanting some chocolate. He had a few buttons (we are trying not avoid at the mo as cake seems to stalk us in every direction) and then spent another hour whining for more.

I'm not giving in to tv right now as he's watched a load already in the hope we will break through this phase.

AIBU to pour myself and extremely large wine?

Yours,

Arrrggghhhhhhh.

Oh just put the telly on! Why do this to yourself on a rainy day?

Four years old is the perfect time to start instilling a certain level of self-reliance. Start having him help with small chores like dishes, sweeping, whatever, and design a "payment system" for when he's done as expected. Maybe two dollars a week he can start saving. Does he play with Legos or building blocks? Those are excellent toys to promote self-directed play. As for the whinging, you've got to nip that crap in the bud. Like I told my kids, I can't understand you when you speak like that, so come back when you can talk properly. If allowed to continue, whinging will become a huge problem.

Stick a DVD or the TVn and chill.

Seriously, I've done grumpy 4yos and after a long day am more than happy to use the one eyed babysitter, feed and then run an early bath for bath playtime then put to bed asap for sanitys sake.

And this is when I'd put the tv on!

He has Lego.

He has interesting toys.

He has many self directed things.

He's not worked out he's not surgically attached to me anymore

I do give pocket money already - don't like paying him off as it happens in choc buttons sometimes anyway

The thing is I find most days need to be a heavy tv day?!

It's just the 4 year old thing. The-so gorgeous-I-want-to-snuggle-him-all day vs the biggest-pain-ever-whinge-bottle.

He's been contrary and creative and bored and impatient and a joy to be around all at once since he was born. I know I'll miss it when he's older.... but... some days...

The joke is I teach children with Sen and challenging behaviour. Some days I swear that's easier!!

I don't want to look forward to him going to school but I think he needs it!

Is there anything he could do to "help" cook dinner?

Give him a damp duster and let him do some play chores. Washing the floor, wiping down the bookcase, table etc...

Would it help if he had something to do in the same room but not necessarily engaging with you? So you can speak to him and he's not alone but you can still get on with what you need to do..