Older child pushing/poking younger sister

[MaryMaryBennet]

My son (4 years) has all of a sudden started pushing/flicking/poking generally being mean to his younger sister (8 months) up until now he's been very gentle with her always wanting to help me with changing her nappy and giving her a bottle of milk etc. Now every given opportunity he tries to push her over and is always saying it was a "mistake" when it was clearly done on purpose. It's very upsetting and very overwhelming for me. I'm at a loss as to what to do about this.

Is she newly mobile by any chance?
I'm wondering if that has led to her interfering when he plays or him having to sit at a table when he'd rather be on the floor etc.

It sounds like sibling rivalry. She wouldn't understand if he told her what he thinks but may be jealous.

Does he do it in front of you or when you're busy with other stuff? He wouldn't be the first child to prefer negative attention to no attention.

I don't mean you're neglecting him but it might feel like that to him iyswim. A non-mobile baby isn't a "threat" but one who can grab your Duplo or mouth favourite cars would be annoying to him

Think it’s normal? Try not to leave in situations where he can do it. Move child and small timeout -calm and with no fuss so he is not getting attention. Pick up baby and give fuss to baby

That's a really good point I hadn't considered....she has just started to crawl and yes she is putting his toys in her mouth all the time and messing up his train track etc.....which she wasn't able to do a mere month ago, I can't believe I hadn't considered this and how it could be the reason for his new behaviour.