Tantrums

[carlyG4R2]

How do you all discipline your children?
My four year old who is starting school in September is really pushing it at the minute. I'm not sure if it's a mix of being on summer holidays as he was used to going to pre school 3 days a week. I know it's all part of them growing up but I feel I've turned into the shouting mum and it's just not working!
He doesn't listen (I mean so many 4 year olds 🤷‍♀️ ) but it's getting a little overwhelming and feel like I don't have "control" as the parent.
I need to bring in another way of tackling rather than just shouting at him,
What does everyone do, do you send to their bedroom or naughty step etc?
Also do they have consequences I.e you take certain toys away or something. I say things but then I know I have a habit of not seeing it through and I feel he's clicking onto that and rules the roost . I also have a two year old daughter which is picking up this behaviour and is copying.
Just need some advise as feeling really overwhelmed with everything at the minute

You have my sympathies because it's definitely difficult setting these boundaries early on. I'd say you absolutely need to stick to any warnings/consequences you throw their way. As you say, when you back down he is learning and it will only make it harder to enforce down the line. Think of things that will be easy to enforce and don't make threats you know you can't carry out. If you do make a big threat in the moment, stick with it. It'll be hard but he'll learn very quickly that you mean business and it'll help you much more in the long term.

Has he had much routine over the summer? It's a great time for kids to get out of it and into particularly bad bedtimes. I would try and get him into a solid routine and get him to bed early. I've definitely found letting them stay up late and get tired plays a big part in their behaviour the next day.

Main thing is to be firm. Don't back down. He's looking to you to set the boundaries and he'll keep pushing until you let him know when to stop. I'm sure you're doing a great job and the fact that you are asking these questions of yourself is evidence of that. Don't be too hard on yourself. We're all learning.