Tips for 4 year old boy challenging behaviour

[Dalmeida]

My soon to be 4 year old boy (second child) is really challenging and has been really since birth. He’s in the phase of punching other kids, repeating every thing I say when I’m telling him off and generally ignoring me and continuing to do what I ask him not to. He’s really a nice boy and not a terror but I’m really struggling unless he’s busy with helping me or active outside to just play nicely. He will intentionally throw things to break them if I ask him to leave something alone. I know it’s all normal testing behaviour but I’m really struggling with enjoying my time with him when I’m not at work and I am looking for tips of how to deal with him in the best way. I’ve tried to remain calm and I’ve tried to get on his level. Has anyone found big success with things like cutting out sugar or any other advice in general?at the moment he just says ‘fine’ aggressively to everything I ask him to do or not do. Thanks

I can totally understand that you’re not enjoying this phase

Can I ask a couple of questions about you? Was the birth traumatic at all? Have you been diagnosed with Postnatal depression at any point?

Hi and thanks for your reply. No not traumatic it was a water birth with gas and air although he was large! No PND but he did have a dairy allergy from birth to 18months that didn’t get diagnosed until about 5 months so up to then was very stressful and lots of sleep deprivation.

Does he still have the Dairy Allergy? Just asking as I’m CMPA day my behaviour can be awful when I’m having a reaction and I might ever so slightly older than your DS

As far as I’m aware the allergy hasn’t been a problem since he was 18m and am guessing there would be more symptom than him being a constant mischievous non responsive 3 year old but maybe something for me to try cutting back on for him.