How do you deal with the behaviours that they constantly repeat despite correction

[hearditfromanunicorn]

My DS nearly 4 has a few bad habits, nose picking and eating it ( particularly bad with everything at the moment) , also wiping his food covered dirty hands on my clothes / sofa / carpet and constantly asking for his iPad. I've tried ignoring and generally I say don't pick your nose or iPad when I decide. I have a baby too, so I can't always grab him a tissue, but we have tissues boxes in each room. I feel the more it goes on through the day, the more I seem to get annoyed and get het up about it. I don't want to be that pissed off parent.

I also get a bit insulted when I suggest doing stuff and he says no boring I want IPad ( he doesn't get it for saying that and it's limited) but it's hard work getting him interested in doing stuff, especially during the limits of lockdown) I want to be patient mum who's child listens to being corrected

I think the main thing they understand at this age is cause and effect. I would limit ipad use to strictly a certain amount a day. Talk to him about how too much screen time is bad and you're his parent and it's your job to keep him happy and safe and then make an agreement (whilst he's calm and emotionally regulated) that this is how much tablet time he gets and that if he whines for the ipad he loses that privledge for x amount of days and then follow through with that. He may not like ut but you can then remind him if when he whines that he has made the choice to lose that privledge (without being too 'I told you so') He is definitely old enough at 4 to learn to regulate his behaviour but he will falter (he's only 4 afterall). All you can do is enforce discipline in a way that teaches him that this faltering is his choice and try not to be judgemental about that choice but ensure there are consequences to it. Good luck. I think 4 can be just as difficult an age as the toddler years. My sister's little boy was an angel til he turned 4 and now he's basically defiant about everything. It's tough so don't beat yourself up xx

ITO the hands I would again agree that we only eat at the table if he can't eat cleanly elsewhere and that he has to wipe hands before leaving the table. If he wants to sit on the sofa and snack for example then he needs to show you he can do it nicely first. The nose picking I think he might need to figure out for himself tbh. I woulda thought most 4YOs do it. They are a bit gross

"I want to be patient mum who's child listens to being corrected" - at 4 years old? I think that's asking a bit too much....

Ha maybe I have high expectations. He does the hand wiping thing at the table. He will lean over and wipe his dirty fingers on me or his mouth if he's been using his fork.

@hearditfromanunicorn haha aren't they just adorable I guess just have a wet flannel ready and catch his hands with them before he has chance then. I'm constantly covered in manky food from my 2YO. I think it's just a toddler thing as well xx