4 year old's sudden awful behaviour

[Eileen101]

My 4 year old has suddenly had a personality transplant and his behaviour has just deteriorated so badly.
He's always previously been calm, mild mannered, kind and quite chilled.
Recently, he's been hitting, pushing, shouting, snatching things from his little sister and generally really hard going. He surprised some guests yesterday who hadn't seen him for a few months with how awful his behaviour was.
The last few days have driven me to the brink with his behaviour. I'm at a loss, I've tried ignoring the behaviour into going away/praising the good thinking it was for attention, explaining that his behaviour is bad/hurting people/friends won't want to play with him, we've shouted (unusual for us, but like I said - we're at the brink with it), I've tried redirection.

I'm at a loss, how do I get my lovely boy back 😔

Is he 4 and about to go into Year 1 or 4 and about to start school? Maybe it stems from anxiety about the changes coming up, particularly if he’s about to start school.

About to start school. Possibly, he seems quite excited about it.

Try the following which may help;

• Set short periods each day of 'mummy and X time' where your focus is solely on him, positive interaction engaging in an activitiy together.
• Do the 'three houses' therapy activity with him (google it) to see if you can determine where his worries stem from
• 'love bomb' him- lots of kisses, cuddles snuggles etc....during these times is also when he is most likely to open up to you.

I have my own 5yo girl who is very challenging behaviourally....I empathise how difficult it is managing it when you're burnt out with another child too.

Something is going on for him, perhaps school worries as PP said...hopefully it will come out in time and you can resolve it together x