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I just smacked dd :(

47 replies

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:41

She has been a complete cow today. Im sooooo cross and Im sitting here in tears because I dont know how to handle this and Im cross because I hit her.

She has become increasingly messy, and lies about tidying up. We made a rules chart up today, with her stating what she should do (only one toy out at a time etc - I had no input, but all her rules were perfect) has she kept to any of them? NO. 2 days ago, I removed most of her toys from her room stating that she could have them back when she could prove that she could look after the toys I had left out...debating on wether to walk in there and empty the bookcase except for 2 or 3 books and the toy box except her favoiurite jigsaw...is this too harsh? Shes 4 btw

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Saturn74 · 10/03/2007 19:44

I think maybe you've both had enough conflict for today.
Can you go and give her a cuddle, and then read her a book in bed?
She's probably really tired now, and you sound like you could both do with a hug.

foxinsocks · 10/03/2007 19:46

I think it would be nice if they did tidy up properly at that age but tbh, I think you're expecting a lot (esp to expect it to be done properly all the time).

chipkid · 10/03/2007 19:46

I would try and make your peace before bedtime-it will make both of you feel better and you can start tomorrow afresh.

they are really hard at this age imo
xx

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:48

I dunno. Ive already told her she needs to tidy all the stuff off her bed before we can read and she slammed the door on my hand...

Tning is, her dad jsut came back into the picture december last year -she never met him b4 that-in fact, I hadnt seen him since i was 5 weeks preggers with dd. She seems ok with it in general, but her behaviour has gotten soooo bad, and I do wonder if its linked...or if she just enjoys being a brat..seems to make her smile (which makes me crosser!)

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WideWebWitch · 10/03/2007 19:48

Yes, absolutely it's too harsh imo, she's 4, they're not the best at rules, 4yos. And 1 toy out at a time? Why so strict? toys are to play with surely?

I think you shoudl say sorry, give her a hug and just vow not to do it again (I'm an anti smacker btw but ds did get the odd slap when he was smaller if it makes you feel any better, although I regretted it enormously). She hasn't been a 'cow' either, she's four. Sorry, but it just imbues her with more malice than she could possibly have at that age.

mousiemousie · 10/03/2007 19:49

Big sympathy from me. I am anti smacking; my dd is 7; in the last few months once I smacked (for the first time) her as an experiment feeling that nothing else was working.

Well smacking didn't work either, it isn't any answer in my book and I heartily regret trying it.

I think the answer is consistency of approach and follow through....so give her one warning them follow through, even if it is hard.

Dump the smacking bit forgive yourself for trying it once. And remember that the problems you have right now are a phase; they will pass.

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:49

And she tidied better at 18 months than she does now!

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harpsichordcarrier · 10/03/2007 19:49

only one toy out at a time sounds a bit ambitious tbh. I would definitely make my peace and start again tomorrow

WideWebWitch · 10/03/2007 19:50

And she doesn't enjoy being a 'brat' - she wants your attention and if behaving badly gets attention then that's what she'll do. So the thing to do is give her attention when she is being good and isn't necessarily looking for it.

foxinsocks · 10/03/2007 19:51

that's what happens though - at 18mos, they prob think it's a game. At 4, there are far more exciting things going on and they play with something for a little bit then move on to something else!!

She may even be starting to lie about it because she feels your pressure!

This is very much what 4/5 yr olds are like I'm afraid.

Big cuddles all round.

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:52

Thanks ladies Got our favourite book at the moment (No Matter What-very appropriate at moment!) out and gonna go read it to her (tho I will be removing a few books when she falls asleep)

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foxinsocks · 10/03/2007 19:53

I can understand how you are feeling though - try and take a step back - I know it is easier said than done and tidying up is a total PITA but there will be bigger things to fight about than this .

harpsichordcarrier · 10/03/2007 19:53

it seems likely to me that the changes in her family circumstances are affecting her behaviour. it sounds like classic attention seeking imo.

Saturn74 · 10/03/2007 19:55

Why are you going to take books out when she's asleep?
Can't you just make up with each other and draw a line under it?
She's only 4, and from your other posts it is clear that she has had some big changes in her life recently.

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:56

Ah, but at playgroup, they must tidy up their game before moving on to something else and she doesnt have a problem there...and this is a rule we have always had in our house cause its a very small place!

Would a sticker chart work for a 4 year old, or too old now? (Tninking mini chore/job chart, with most of the things stuff she does already-wash face, brush teeth, put dirty dishes away- and then tidy up times.)

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chipkid · 10/03/2007 19:57

yeah I'd def leave the books in her room. It will just start the whole thing up again in the morning when she notices.

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 19:57

HC - the books tend to be the main problem - she has loads and they all get tipped out and are usually the worst offender (except for hama beads....) ;)

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foxinsocks · 10/03/2007 19:58

you are making it sound like an army camp (sorry)

rules work at playgroup cos it's playgroup

home is for chilling

we, too, have a tiny house - if she has too many toys, then give some away or put them in a cupboard to be brought out again at a later date. If she's taking all the books out, then help her put them back.

It does sound like attention seeking.

Saturn74 · 10/03/2007 19:59

Ah....hama beads.

Has your DD got boxes in her room for her to put her toys into?
That might make it a little easier to keep things tidier.

Lmccrean · 10/03/2007 20:01

OMG - her room is tidy! (OK, so its all been shoved under the bed and the duvet pulled over it...but ill pretend i didnt notice) Thanks for chillin me out - tho i must sound like an awful mum right now!

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dionnelorraine · 11/03/2007 15:28

2 things I do when it comes to toy tidying...1 - I go through all my dd's toys monthly and sift through what she doesnt play with any more. I never keep anything 'just in case' she wants to play with it again one day. I take them to a charity shop. The 2nd is, I rotate her toys. Her big toys e.g kitchen, car, dolls house etc I will divide and put a couple of things under the stairs and the same with her smaller toys. then after a month or so I swap them round. She gets all excited playing with toys she forgot she had. All this = less mess! I do tidy her toys my self though, or we do it together. Make it fun, I say "quick lets put all these toys in the box then we can play with something else, or do something else" etc..
Keeping it fun and lighthearted works for me and Im really houseproud and freak out when house gets messy! DH says I have OCD! ha,ha

CODalmighty · 11/03/2007 15:29

one toy at a time is a shitey rul ime

sunnysideup · 11/03/2007 15:44

Tidy up together. If you are with her, she won't have the opportunity to 'lie' about it, and to be honest at 4 she is really not going to be able to tidy on her own, she needs encouragement and fun, and doing it as part of a team.

Don't let her set unrealistic rules. One toy out at a time will never work with any child, ever!

When you impose a consequence, like taking toys away, I really think if you say something open-ended like 'you can have them back when you show you can take care of other toys' you are simply making her feel angry and powerless, which is why at the next opportunity she will no doubt do something to release her frustration....needs to be clearer, eg "I'm taking this till the morning" is enough. If you want to go down that route.

Personally, I think you should just do it together and not fight this as a battle. She's too young. Maybe if she were 9 or 10, but not four imo.

Also, you're right, she is coping with a huge family change in accepting her dad as her dad...still very new. Doesn't mean you let her get away with murder, but it does mean she needs a bit of slack, a bit more understanding, and some very clear but firm and fair rules and boundaries so that she feels secure.

best of luck; don't beat yourself up about the smack, forget it and move on to happier things.

deepinlaundry · 11/03/2007 15:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

colditz · 11/03/2007 15:55

She is too young to punish her by stealing her beloved books in the night to stop her getting them out.

Imagine this

You go to bed. When you get up, your boss has let himself into your house and has taken all your make up and toiletries away, bar a deoderant.

he has left a note, saying "I am fed up of you leaving your stuff lying around so you can't have it any more."

How would you feel about that?

I agree with putting stuff away when you have a small place, I do too, but you are punishing her far too much, and this could be the reason she is lying about it. One toy at a time is far too harsh. what's wrong with a big 'Tidy up time' after 2 hours or so?