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Managing tough situations

7 replies

LostSleep · 24/09/2022 20:01

Hoping for some support and advice.

DS1 (4) is very spirited. Won't do as asked for simple things such as coming to the bathroom to brush teeth. It's become a bit of a tug of war over the simplest of things, and due to lack of sleep, I'm quite quick to lose my temper.

We've recently had DS2 (8 weeks) so this new behaviour might stem from jealousy or just his age.

Any advice on (1) how to manage this behaviour and (2) how to keep cool and not shout/lose temper

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LostSleep · 25/09/2022 06:52

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CatSeany · 25/09/2022 07:08

We're going through similar with our 2.5 year old. He'll either say a straight no to doing something, or will say he wants to do it himself and proceed to mess about for the longest possible time (or it'll just be something he can't do yet but he'll insist that I can't help). It's obviously not the same because he's younger, but I've found the best way to manage things with him has been to try to foster his independence as best I can. I decide on what's happening, but I give him a choice as to how it happens e g "are you going to brush your teeth or is mummy going to do them for you" "are you going to do a big jump out of the bath with mummy or shall I carry you out". With things he can't do I'll try and start them early because often he'll ask me to help when he finally realises he can't do something e.g. put his shoes on. Removing the time pressure means he feels more in control.

Endlesslaundry123 · 25/09/2022 15:26

I'm in a similar boat - new baby and 3 year old seeing what she can get away with.

For me the best long term solution is recognising that i need to acknowledge my daughter's point of view and act as a partner to her, not an adversary. I try to remember to treat her like a human being and be curious about what's going on with her or engage her about the fact that she's being interrupted from something fun. So, "it's time to wash your hands for dinner in 2 minutes" "ok" "2 minutes is up, time to wash your hands" ignores me "I see you're having a hard time with going to wash your hands. What's going on? How can we get your hands washed together?" Or "I know you love playing and it's hard to stop. Wouldn't it be fun if we could just play FOREVER??" "Yes!" "That would be so fun! It's time to wash your hands now. Would you like to do it yourself or do you need me to help you?"

Later (once everything is calm) it can be "we had a hard time tonight with hand washing. What can we do to make that easier?" And genuinely listen to her deas.

Just acknowledging that we're asking her to stop doing something fun to do something not fun, and doing some "imagining how great it would be if we could do the fun thing all the time" help a lot with getting my daughter to engage at least. She still needs help a lot of the time (me guiding or even carrying her to the sink!) but it's not nearly as adversarial when I try to imagine we're on the same team, and try to acknowledge her point of view in the situation.

I don't want to pretend I'm some perfect parent. This is me at the best of times but I definitely lose my sh*t at times too and wish I didn't.

Dr Becky at Good Inside is a great Instagram account to follow for ideas, as well as Ourmamavillage.

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willingtolearn · 25/09/2022 15:36

Visual routine might help - make a step by step of the essentials for your morning and evening routine

So - 1. Use toilet, 2. Brush teeth 3. Get Dressed. 4 Eat breakfast

or whatever way you do it, - does it matter what order he does things if they get done? Limited choice can be helpful.

You can either use velcro on cards which you take off as things get done or a laminated card and dry wipe pen when you tick things off.

Timers can be useful - he might like a stopwatch or a kitchen timer might work.

Role modelling can help - you brush your teeth, he brushes his (not suggesting shared toileting!)

Once all tasks are complete is there time for him to do something he wants?

This can be helpful if it's being slow, but also can just make the next transition another argument so it depends on the child.

Simple statements, no negotiation : It's time to.... You need to do ....next, What have you got left to do?

You can reflect back any moaning, You're feeling tired today.... it is tough when you're tired, You're not hungry today, you only want a little bit before we go?

And it doesn't have to be about jealousy, although it often is. Sometimes it is just that his life has utterly utterly changed. From his point of view this is not for the better - you are grumpier with him, more focused on the babies' needs and he might translate that into you don't like him any more.

You do need to make sure that there is time for him where you give him positive attention and your focus.

Good luck - it's incredibly tough to balance the needs of young children

Popaholic · 25/09/2022 15:40

IME shouting will tend to make them dig heels in further.

I would try:

  • redirection. eg If you want him to clean his teeth, say to him "I'm going to clean your teddy's teeth because he has stinky breath and his teeth look yucky." Then I'd make a ham-fisted palaver of it and complain teddy won't open his mouth and so on. Then once DS is giggling ask DS is he could possibly show teddy how it's done properly as teddy REALLY isnt getting the hang of it (but faux sigh). He will know you are pretending and being silly but will probably cooperate.
  • make it funny instead of a power-play. With toothbrushing (a notorious battle in my house), I will stand there frowning for a few seconds and say to DS, "did you hear that? I thought I heard a growl." Then a few seconds later "there it is again!". Then I'll lean close to DS and say, "yep o heard it again. There is DEFINITELY a lion in your mouth. Or maybe a rhinoceros. I am sorry but I'm going to HAVE to get it out!" And I'll march off to get the toothbrush. DS now loves this game and will ask me to find crocodiles, dinosaurs, wolves... and we'll make all the noises while I brush until I say with faux relief, "phew I think they're all gone for today!"
  • make it a secret, eg "daddy bought this broccoli for his dinner but I cooked it for OUR tea instead! Shhhhh don't tell him - we are going to have to eat it all up really quickly." I have even let DS eat his dinner sitting under the dining table, to help with the secrecy. This works very well if a small rogue piece of broccoli gets left somewhere on the table so daddy finds a clue and you text him ahead of time to go hunting for The Broccoli Thief and tickle him into a confession. Probably unnecessary as to be sure your 4yo will be RACING up to daddy to tell him he ate all daddy's broccoli the very first opportunity he has..
  • if you really CBA with it all simply ignore and walk away and try again 15 minutes later. If you don't HAVE 15 minutes then well, occasionally putting your foot down isnt the worst thing you can do. Counting down from 10 gives them a chance to cooperate before they have a toy confiscated for the afternoon or whatever.
willingtolearn · 25/09/2022 15:54

@Popaholic Those are fantastic ideas! Made me laugh anyway

LostSleep · 25/09/2022 17:39

Thank you all, those are fantastic ideas.

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