my 4.5 yr old ds started school this autumn. we also had a new baby (who he likes a lot but i know it could be a factor), 7 months ago. Over the past few months he has just been getting STUPID! He does silly things which really wind me and dh up, and never seems to do what we ask until we shout at him or threaten to smack him (I know I shouldn't and fully accept that this is the first thing I need to change! But I'm hoping there are other things I can do to help too.) Recently the staff at the afterschool club have been saying he has hit another child - his best friend! - quite often, perhaps every other day. Tonight said friend - G - came to stay, and they were fighting etc almost all evening, and generally playing up (though less surprised about the latter as they were obviously excited). I just wondered - is this normal 4.5 year old behaviour? I wouldn't be surprised, but I'd like to check it out! And if so, when can I expect him to get a bit more sensible? Its not that he is particularly nasty or violent, just he seems to have little concept of where the edges of his body are, what the consequences of a particular action will be, and so on - so he is always knocking over drinks, hitting himself on things, and pushing/hitting G without I think much awareness that this is going to hurt. Certainly when he gets hit himself he is full of tears and complaints and doesnt' seem to make the connection! Or is this not normal and I should do something about it? Thanks!