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My 4 year old doesn't respect me

8 replies

BertieBotts · 29/11/2012 11:42

I'm finding him impossible to deal with at the moment. He gets into these totally hyped-up, silly moods, where if I ask him to do something he just laughs and refuses or does the opposite. If he doesn't like something that I've done (which are the most trivial things, like walking down the stairs before him, or doing up the velcro on his shoes in the "wrong" order) - and yes I've tried telling him to do his shoes himself, then, which just leads to a mass screaming tantrum and the shoes don't go on at all and we end up late for whatever it is we're doing. He won't get dressed or put his shoes on for himself, even though I know he can do it.

He's constantly showing his bum at me, or getting his willy out and "playing" it at me (which he calls the "willy guitar" Hmm). I ignore this and refuse to engage with him until he's properly dressed but sometimes I get a bit wound up which I guess is probably what he finds funny. If he doesn't get things his own way he shouts, screams, throws things and tries to make a mess on purpose by pulling things off shelves or whatever. He tells me to shut up, he calls me a stupid bum and other things. He thinks it's fine to bark/scream orders at me for me to do. He does stuff deliberately to wind me up - I'm not imagining this! He stands there dancing and laughing at me!

He was lovely until he turned four! :(

I always ignore him when he's screaming and tell him I'll listen when he asks nicely but it gets wearing because he goes through ages of the screaming before we get anywhere. I'm totally lost with any kind of time out or naughty step/sending to room etc because he doesn't stay there for even one second, so I can't start the timer again from nothing when he gets up, because I don't even get chance to start it. I can't take myself off to another room for some space, because he just follows me. I've tried sitting with him for the time out just to calm him down, but he tries to scratch and hit me or pull my hair or throw things at me. He knows that the toy will get taken off him as soon as he throws it but he doesn't seem to care. I've resorted to putting him in his bedroom and holding the door closed on occasion but I feel awful doing this Blush

This is all particularly ramped up when he's hungry but he seems to be hungry all the time, I can't keep up with him. I often end up letting him watch loads of TV or play games on my computer (CBeebies type things, not violent shooting games or anything!) so that I can get stuff done. And then sometimes he'll be lovely, but at the moment the hyped up moods seem to be taking over and making me feel exhausted/snappy so that I don't want to do the nice things. I've arranged to meet a friend at the park today so hopefully that will wear him out a bit and provide a nice change of scene, but I really need a plan for the disrespect thing because I'm worried he's going to turn into a total monster when he gets a bit older Shock Help!

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BertieBotts · 29/11/2012 11:46

Oh, and it must be me, because everyone else tells me how lovely he is, nursery are full of praise, his teacher has told me on several occasions "He's SO good, he just listens!"

Confused Really? Because he doesn't for me. Although I can see it in him, when he's not fighting against me he is the sweetest child, he has a real thoughtfulness about him and he wants everyone to join in and be happy and he's eager to please, it's just me that he seems to think he can walk all over and that's fine. Maybe he's just letting out his frustration with everything else with me or something - because he won't say anything to another child or adult even if they're upsetting him. But I'd like it if he would get a bit of balance, perhaps stop being so rude etc to me, but stand up for himself a bit more with others.

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MapofTassie · 29/11/2012 12:40

I've got no advice as my 4-year old is exactly the same. Sad
If that's not bad enough, his little brother copies everything he does and is following in his footsteps being a defiant little bugger. Love them both dearly, but my giddy aunt they are hard work.
Sorry, no advice, but lots of Brew or Wine does help.

BertieBotts · 29/11/2012 12:45

Oh :( Maybe it's a phase??

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Nooneelseisallowedafergus · 29/11/2012 12:54

There is a book called raising boys by steve biddulph. It is a good read if you have boys. They get a testosterone surge aged 4, if I remember rightly, which prob explains his behaviour. I don't want to give you bad advice, using half remembered facts, but do buy the book. Ps I'm not mrs biddulph or anything.

arista · 29/11/2012 14:13

I think consistency is key also just ignore bad behaviour. Also maybe explain that by the count of 3 he has not stopped he is going to lose his favourite toy for a whole week and losing extra one for any additional misbehaviour also no tv etc.. no treat when out I know it is tough but you do have to be tough sometimes to get through to them. Mine was the same 5 now.

YDdraigGoch · 29/11/2012 14:21

Can you get him outside to play more, and wear him out a bit. Boys need to be active, which can get a bit wearing in the house.

Otherwise, you're going to have to find something which he cares about and stick to your guns. How about taking toys away one at a time, starting with his favourite until there are none left. Then he has to earn them back with good behaviour.

Have you tried star charts or some other reward system - starting with very small achievements, like "no showing your willy for an hour" and slowly building up to a day or a week.

When SuperNanny uses the naughty step, she keeps returning the child to the step, sometimes for hours, and they always seem to give in in the end.

You really need to find a way to prove to him that you're in charge and that you have the greater will power.

That sounds easy when I write it down, but I know it's not. Good luck!

voituredepompier · 29/11/2012 14:25

My DS is 4 in Feb, he sounds very much like yours. Your post is reassuring!

Has he just started school? If so, he might be just knackered. DS who has moved from a nursery to 'wraparound' school day is often almost hysterical after school about the tiniest thing. We have found that giving him a snack and letting him lie on the sofa and early to bed makes him a b-i-t calmer although does not in any way explain the defiance, and OCD type behaviour.

BertieBotts · 29/11/2012 17:34

Sorry forgot to mention he's not at school yet, he goes to nursery 5 mornings a week though and recently I've been at work a lot which means he's been at the childminder and every time we walk home it's dark which is hard for him. I've managed to cut my hours down at work now, though.

We've been out today to see some friends and he's been much better :) But we'll see what he's like at bedtime Grin

The thing with the step is that I literally have to hold him on it to stop him getting off which turns into a kind of wrestling match and he just thinks that's really hilarious which makes me either really cross or end up laughing with him - not very constructive especially as he then jumps up all gloaty like he's got his way. I have taken toys off him in the past which worked quite well and I do take them away for related things, like if he's spilling a game/jigsaw all over the floor deliberately (to make a mess, not to play with it) or if he's being too rough with it or whatever. I like consequences/punishments to be logical and fit the crime so I struggle with the rudeness etc because there's nothing really (apart from ignoring/disengaging) and you have to have a generic "ultimate threat" type thing! But reassuring to know that others are experiencing the same.

I might give Raising Boys a try. I've heard of it before but been put off because apparently it's quite negative about single mums, but perhaps if I take those parts with a pinch of salt.

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