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Negative, whining 4 year old

8 replies

DIYandEatCake · 02/04/2015 21:11

That makes her sound awful! She's not, is generally lovely, but is having a real phase of 'can't be bothered' at the moment. 'Let's go to the playground' 'ooohhhwwww, do I have to walk? My legs will be tired...' Dinner is 'yucky' (but still eaten with a look of martyred resignation), if she slightly bumps her finger or something she will cry ( in a fake way) and go on and on about how sore it is and do I remember yesterday when she bumped her knee? There have been no changes or anything recently, she gets a little jealous of 15mo ds sometimes but no more than normal. I'm dealing with it by listening and acknowledging her feelings (Ouch, that hurt you, let me kiss it better) and being positive (look, it's a lovely sunny day, we can look at the daffodils on the way to the playground and we'll probably see some of your friends there). As well as making sure she gets plenty of attention and cuddles and one-to-one time. But the eeyore-ish-ness is wearing me down! Anyone else's 4 year old like this and have you got any strategies for helping them see the brighter side of life a bit more?!

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MrsFlannel · 02/04/2015 21:47

Has she broken up from school yet? Assuming she is in school...or is nursery?

It could just be tiredness.

DIYandEatCake · 03/04/2015 00:20

Nursery, broke up last week. I'm hoping it is tiredness and a short-lived phase...

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LondonRocks · 03/04/2015 00:23

Sympathies.

I'm not really one for books on parenting but the latest entry on the aha parenting website was about whining and the advice was really helpful. I, too, was getting frustrated at whining from similarly aged DC.

I'll see if I can link.

backtowork2015 · 03/04/2015 14:05

did I write this post? sounds exactly like my life at the moment. ...even down to the everything is yucky.

ToysRLuv · 03/04/2015 17:54

I wish I knew. DS (5) has always been like thus. Exhausting.

Ferguson · 03/04/2015 18:41

Try giving her some responsibility to read to DS, 'teach' him colours of Duplo bricks, and count them. Involve her in his development, what he wears, eats, where to go etc.

Does DS walk yet? If not, can she help him learn to?

DIYandEatCake · 06/04/2015 01:09

Thanks very much for that link, londonrocks, lots of useful ideas. I need to be a bit more patient I guess.
Ferguson she does most of that already... A good reminder though, I might get her old flash cards out tomorrow.

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