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Behaviour/development

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4 Year old change in behaviours

1 reply

Bringingupboys98 · 09/02/2026 19:40

Hello.

Since Christmas my 4 year old has begun to have some HUGE Feelings. He started school in September and absolutely loves it. However when he comes home, he is letting out some negative behaviour, especially towards me. I have been quite strong about it up to now, but now it's getting to the point where I feel like I have failed.
I am losing my patience so much with him, I try start off being firm and fair but it goes in one ear and out the other. At the moment I end up getting kicked, scratched, punched. I often find myself flinching around him now.

I've spoken to teachers and he's generally very well behaved, other than one incident of not sharing.

He's always been very lively and strong willed, however he's never been as physical as this before.

Im just wondering if this could be a stage that he's going through?? I've found bringing his bedtime to 6-630pm makes him better the next day but it's trying to get him down at that time with his 10000 stalling tactics.

He's also gone from being an independent sleeper from Birth to coming into my bed every night for the last 3 months!!!

I love him dearly and I hate seeing him like this. I am mentally and physically exhausted.

I know his little mind and body are only so tiny still and he's exhausted but He just won't listen. It's like he's just in his own little world.

OP posts:
Bringingupboys98 · 09/02/2026 19:43

Consequences of bad behaviour (hitting, biting) is I remove myself from the room, deduct screen time. Then when he's calmed down we then discuss that his actions were unacceptable and not kind.

We have tried time outs but this doesn't work when I have a toddler also as my toddler turns it into a game

Opposite of this, good behaviour is rewarded with a star chart, and when he gets to the top he gets to pick a day out and a packet of sweets from the shop!x

OP posts:
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