dawdling, loitering, leaning, whining, not listening

[roseybump]

ARARRAGHGHGHGHGHGH
right - anyone out there got tips for getting a 3 years old boy to just kind of ENGAGE in what he is doing, or what I am trying to get him to do. I am being driven round the bend. From getting hsoes on without whining can't do it (he can), to dawdling on the stairs then bump, or leaning against me when I am trying to do something, or blanking me when I ask him something. Its getting on my nerves and he knows it -gotta get back some control but also wonder why he is so vague and vacant half the time - thought that was a teenage thing!

So - your thread title describes my DH

THere's a new 'age' called THREENAGER (apparently) where they kind of act like mini teenagers.

I have 3 DCs (5,4 and 2) and they all do it to me!

They so know how to push our buttons. Its an attention thing surely? Can you ignore it? Sometimes I'll go out and close the front door behind me if they are dragging their heels, that gets them moving. Or I get a bin bag and start putting toys into it if that's what they are ignoring. Evil mother that I am! Or I take their plates away from them and declare meal-time over...

Shouting, begging, threatening, crying (but only on REALLY bad days) doesn't work IME. Being cruel and heartless is the way forward!

"vague and vacant" Yes, that sums my DD1 up to a tee. She's 4.5. Her teacher thinks she is highly organised and a great planner. I think they do some sort of personality transplant when they cross the school gates.

Tips? Getting right down to their level and demanding eye contact before imparting important information. Turning things into a game. Goading (as in "I bet you can't do x before I do y" works for DD1), although I don't really like the psychology.

All of the above is blooming exhausting though. Mostly, I end up yelling "why won't you listen" like a banshee and having to apologise ...

2 yr old DS has been like this all morning - fortunately DH came home from work early and took him swimming before my head exploded