Really sick of Ds1's behavior and I am handling it badly too.

[colditz]

He's nearly five. Everything he does seems calculated to irritate me. He has just squirted his inhaler in his brother's face, he keeps taking the cushions off the sofa (which I don't allow purely because it kicks up dust), he cut his brother's curls off at 6am this morning, dished out icepoles and had themselves a little tea party, nags constantly for junk food (he has pick of the fruit bowl and bread) and I swear, this week is the worst week I have ever had with him. he has been moody and gobby and foul. And so have I, sometimes, because I'm not handling the constant naughtiness very well!

Chalks outside - on the walls and if you've got any cement outside.

God, i can't stop can I? I've become hysterical just thinking about what it was like.

Hmm, I know how ahrd it can be to find things for them to do, at one point, DD, DS and I were in a one bed flat with no garden and nowhere to do anything so it was a nightmare, it was too much hassle to even do colouring because of the space it would take and my floor etc.
What does he like?

Yes, I think the 'chores' have to be seen as fun. So if he's like DS1 he will like the noise and excitement of the hoover and like physically being able to pull it about, and the washing-up is just larking about with bubbles and 'cleaning' things.

It IS SO TIRING though Colditz, the activeness and the lack of concentration.

Here, I'm pouring you a glass of wine.

How often is he having his inhalar and how many puffs? My son goes hyper when he has his and can literally be bouncing off the walls! I'm not suggesting you stop him from having it - far from it but I'm just wondering if you've noticed any pattern. Maybe it's worth chatting to your doctor about?

You could just get headphones and a mask, and pretend they arent there

It's not his inhaler (I wish) as he is always like this, even on mornings when I have forgotten!

I know I have to stop looking at other sedate four year olds and their non frazzled mummies, and accept that this is the way he is.

On the bright side, when he is 45, he will probably have a 20 year old girlfriend and be able to keep up!

The sedate four year olds you see are so bloody tired from being up all night that they cant possibly act up, thats why their mums have full make up on too, they never got any sleep so didnt take it off.

Sounds very similar to my nearly 5 year old. He has got worse since starting school as he is copying another little boys behaviour, but he is constantly jumping from furniture, asking for food, and sometimes not even asking but just sneaking into the kitchen & trying to help himself.
He has the shortest concentration span ever too!

If it is any consolation, I have had one those weeks with both my boys. My eldest is 8 & has been answering back & not doing as he is told etc. There have been moments where I have been in tears because I don't feel in control. Being a mum can be the hardest job!