Why is my four year old so reckless?!

[adrianna22]

Hi

DS, who's four, acts so reckless. I feel like I have to watch him constantly.

He runs up and down in our flat. I always tell him to walk not run, but seems to "forget".

He will scribble on the walls and if caught will laugh and run away.
He likes playing with his ships in the bathroom, but nearly flooded our neighbours flat.
He likes to throw things out of the window. He would also hide in wardrobes, under the bed, his grand mums trolley bag.
He also likes to make a mess around the house i.e. throwing things on the floor etc! He has been experimenting recently and trying to put objects in his nose and mouth.

Is this normal behaviour? This is my first child. But I would of expect DS, by his age, to play quietly, sit still and not to be running around..be weary of making a mess and not to throw things out of the window.

I was thinking of getting him into a sport as he seems bored at home.

What shall I do?

Erm, I thought you were going to say that he likes jumping down stairs and running at full speed across walls etc!

All of those things should be having consequences - what do you do when he does them? I would never let my DS get away with any of those. Mess I don't mind but I expect him to clear it up, and he WILL clear it up or he's not allowed to do anything else until it's cleared up. Water play is just for bath time and he would be removed physically from the bathroom if he tried it at another time, and the water toys put away. He's not tried the other two (well, he's asked about throwing stuff out of the window, but I said No Way!!) - if he did then he'd probably get told off and have a screen ban or other privilege removed. Luckily it's not occurred to him!

Running around and inability to sit still, that's just four year old behaviour. Ignore but remind to be careful. If he broke something or nearly broke something through carelessness then I would be cross. Accidental, no. I do tell him to sit still when he's making me seasick out of the corner of his eye but really that's a losing battle.

(Slight smile at the expectations... nope at four they definitely get more crazy and stupid, not less!)

Sounds pretty normal for a 4 year old. What do you do when he e.g. scribbles on the wall? He should be washing it off.

Little bit puzzled OP you sound surprised he's a ball of energy at 4yo. He won't just burn off all his energy socialising at nursery. Are you in the UK? Has he been attending pre-school? Start him at least a couple of terms before he starts school to help him socially and to prepare him to get on with being part of a group.

When he's at home keep him distracted from mischief with games or little tasks. Toys don't have to be expensive. You have to be consistent with little ones or they will repeat destructive behaviour. An activity would be good if possible something like swimming or gymnastics to burn off energy. There's a balance between parking a child in front of the tv for hours and running yourself ragged trying to fill every hour with entertainments, obviously.

Activities makes good sense, running around outside with a friend or a football (if you can find the time) should wear him out. keep the crayons and pens out of his reach and he can't scribble on the walls. I keep mine in a kitchen cupboard out of the way. Good luck. It will get easier.

He sou ds like a four year old.

You need to teach him what he should do and supervise more. How does he nearly flood a flat for example!?

hotcrosshunny I do supervised my child. Though realistically I'm not able to do this 24/7.

Thanks everyone else for the helpful advice.