Not liking the 4 year old stage

Chrissie · Guru

Not liking the 4 year old stage

Lizzy · Guru

So sorry Chrissie...these kids are gonna drive us crazy!!

I am also having a hard time w/ getting her to pick up stuff but then I just take something away that she really cares about to get her to listen (if I threaten to throw the stuff away that is on the floor, that doesn't work b/c she just says "ok") lmao

3s_a_crowd · Guru

The day K turned 4 she thought she didnt have to listen to us anymore. SHe said "Im four, I dont need to listen to you."

I dont like her attitude at all. She better fix it, before I fix it for her.

Juni · Guru

I don't know what the deal is but lately Gavin has been HORRIBLE. I think part of it is that he is not napping and is in that in between stage where he *is* tired but not at the right time to nap.

I don't know. He is a little wild man lately and he was never like that before. It is so difficult sometimes.

Dddiii · Guru

Lizzy wrote:

So sorry Chrissie...these kids are gonna drive us crazy!!

I am also having a hard time w/ getting her to pick up stuff but then I just take something away that she really cares about to get her to listen (if I threaten to throw the stuff away that is on the floor, that doesn't work b/c she just says "ok") lmao

Ditto. If I tell her I'm going to take away her DS, watch out. It's like you told her Santa Claus isn't coming this year.

The worst thing about 4 for us right now is that the whining is back. The intentional, annoying, much louder whining. :pullhair It instantly puts me in a bad mood and I lose all patience.

Alison · Guru

Ah, yup! Same thing going on here! The kicker is that when my mom was here and they went out together, he was perfect for her! But when he's at home, fuhgeddaboutit!

supergrover · Guru

Yup... did y'all see my facebook status two days ago? Worlds biggest tantrum in Walmart. Travis actually abandoned a full cart to drag his ass out of there.

He has honestly been a lot better the past two days after we stuck to our guns and made him go straight to bed after dinner after he walmart scene. It is only a matter of time though until the ridiculousness returns, I swear.

I feel like I have the least amount of patience ever because hepushes my buttons on purpose.

Jenn (I haven't put in my siggy yet)

Amy · Senior Member

Dddiii wrote:

Lizzy wrote:

So sorry Chrissie...these kids are gonna drive us crazy!!

I am also having a hard time w/ getting her to pick up stuff but then I just take something away that she really cares about to get her to listen (if I threaten to throw the stuff away that is on the floor, that doesn't work b/c she just says "ok") lmao

Ditto. If I tell her I'm going to take away her DS, watch out. It's like you told her Santa Claus isn't coming this year.

The worst thing about 4 for us right now is that the whining is back. The intentional, annoying, much louder whining. :pullhair It instantly puts me in a bad mood and I lose all patience.

I know she has been sick but holy cow- I can't take the whIIIIIIIIIne. Lily will also pretend like she can't hear me when I know she darn well can. Makes me want to freak!

I hope when school starts (2 weeks) she will get it togther. This is so not good.

Robin · Guru

Hmm. I was really hoping that turning 4 would be the magic turning point back to civility.

Just today, I decided that Mark needed Behavior Boot Camp. He was HORRIBLE. Not only horrible, but horrible in front of other people. Mortifying.

But then we went to a McD's with a big indoor playplace and there were some bigger, rowdy, obnoxious boys there that made both my kids look like saints.

Perspective.

Michele · Senior Member

Lauren has just gotten so dang bossy. She instructs and demands things of Anna all day long and it is driving me nuts. She has also started lying to get out of trouble. She's not good though. The other night I asked her who dumped water all over the bathroom floor and she told me Arial without giving it a thought.

I miss that sweet little girl in this siggy pic. :sigh

Lizzy · Guru

Michele wrote:

Lauren has just gotten so dang bossy. She instructs and demands things of Anna all day long and it is driving me nuts. She has also started lying to get out of trouble. She's not good though. The other night I asked her who dumped water all over the bathroom floor and she told me Arial without giving it a thought.

I miss that sweet little girl in this siggy pic. :sigh

aww..how old was she here? she looks so cute!

Michele · Senior Member

Lizzy wrote:

Michele wrote:

Lauren has just gotten so dang bossy. She instructs and demands things of Anna all day long and it is driving me nuts. She has also started lying to get out of trouble. She's not good though. The other night I asked her who dumped water all over the bathroom floor and she told me Arial without giving it a thought.

I miss that sweet little girl in this siggy pic. :sigh

aww..how old was she here? she looks so cute!
Thanks Liz. She was almost 2. Seems like that was soooo long ago.

LoveMy2 · Member

I AM OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR IT!!!! I am despising this age more and more!!!
Ya know it's bad when C said to me "Whatever <my name>"... I wasn't sure which to yell about first, the Whatever as a response to being told to do something or being referring to other than MOM!!?!?!?!?

I could go on and on about the horrid things he does but I'm afraid I would read over this again later and go off on a drinking binge or throw myself off a bridge or drive into a brick wall on my way home or put a bullet in my head or..................

OMG I cannot take it... He doesn't listen to a THING, Ever!!!!!! Between the talking back, the crying, the tantrums over NOTHING, you name it... I'm going to either be bald, become an alcoholic or be in jail!!!!!

Something seriously has to give, and soon!!!!!!! I'm so happy to hear I'm not alone here though cry

daisy · Guru

it's actually not too bad here.
we are having some massive control issues (she is very controlling and it's something i'm working on curbing) - and i had to go cold-turkey with some stuff in the house (tv, kids' music, etc, bc they were just becoming sources of control and i couldnt take it anymore) - but i think the more firm and consistent i am, the more she's getting it.
i am PRAYING the 4s continue to be OK here.
bc 3s were really hard enough, and C is hitting the 2s pretty fiercely.
:ahh

Jilly · Veteran Member

You are sooo not alone. I have been counting down the days until preschool so we can get back into a regular routine, which I'm hoping will help all of us. Being without some sort of regular schedule, and skipping naps has been really hard on my firecracker.

He is really needy these days....constantly asking for something...gum, food, a drink, to go outside, popsicles, a new toy if we are shopping, etc. Many of the requests are unreasonable. And if I say no, the meltdowns are out of control. He also loves to just randomly scream or make a noise for attention. I feel really bad for him because I think he just does not know how to handle his emotions at this age and has a HUGE amount of energy to burn off.

I remember my oldest went through this stage and I was so close to signing her up for behavior therapy. When she hit about 4 1/2 things improved sooo much. I'm hoping for the same with him!

One thing that has helped is going swimming the last few days. All summer, I've totally hovered over him at the pool, but I've given him more freedom the last few days and his behavior has really improved. Of course I'm still fairly close and do not take my eyes off him, but I let him roam around within his boundaries and I think this has given him some control over himself which has done wonders for his attitude.

edited for spelling

-- Edited by Jilly on Thursday 13th of August 2009 09:02:16 AM

-- Edited by Jilly on Thursday 13th of August 2009 09:02:59 AM

dorian · Senior Member

Juni wrote:

I don't know what the deal is but lately Gavin has been HORRIBLE. I think part of it is that he is not napping and is in that in between stage where he *is* tired but not at the right time to nap.

I don't know. He is a little wild man lately and he was never like that before. It is so difficult sometimes.

ditto on ALL accounts

cole has turned into such a little back talking monster

he's hit jack and eric at least twice a week since he turned 4 and has become CRAZY possessive of things he is playing with

but then he wants everything anyone else is playing with, as well

it's out of control

CoffeeQueen · Guru

daisy wrote:

it's actually not too bad here.
we are having some massive control issues (she is very controlling and it's something i'm working on curbing) - and i had to go cold-turkey with some stuff in the house (tv, kids' music, etc, bc they were just becoming sources of control and i couldnt take it anymore) - but i think the more firm and consistent i am, the more she's getting it.
i am PRAYING the 4s continue to be OK here.
bc 3s were really hard enough, and C is hitting the 2s pretty fiercely.
:ahh

Same here Kelly. The 3's were just as all of you are saying now. But now all of a sudden has turned sweet again. Now it could change in a blink of an eye, but so far so good. The last half of the 3's was awful for me. She did not listen, acted up. etc.

She is a very stubborn child and does like to control, but knows her boundries with me now.

tabatha · Senior Member

hmmm...first time posting on the new forums.

anyway, perhaps i am in the minority in that i am liking this age better than 2 and 3.

which is not to say that she doesn't backtalk or act like an obstinate little troll. i'm not exactly sure what it is about this age i prefer, but i know that i enjoy spending time with her and let her stay home with me some days and its been awhile since i *wanted* to do that.

Corey · Guru

tabatha wrote:

hmmm...first time posting on the new forums.

anyway, perhaps i am in the minority in that i am liking this age better than 2 and 3.

which is not to say that she doesn't backtalk or act like an obstinate little troll. i'm not exactly sure what it is about this age i prefer, but i know that i enjoy spending time with her and let her stay home with me some days and its been awhile since i *wanted* to do that.

i guess i am in the minority too. 2 1/2 to 4 were hellacious here, but all of a sudden in the past month or so he has done a 180. he apologizes immediately without being asked if he does something he shouldn't have, is super helpful...it is like he had his birthday and something just clicked in his mind to stop being a holy terror.

now grace on the other hand is headed straight for the terrible two's...

i just can't get a break!! ;)

Tiffany · Senior Member

The 4's here with Ava hasn't been so bad... I mean she has her days yeah but like some others I think the 2 and 3's were the worst and once after she turned 4 she did go through a phase of not listening and stuff. Now she knows better and is very respectful and oh my, too sensitive sometimes....lol BUT She is definitely BOSSY and a little mama to every kid out there.....she is such a worry wart!

On the other hand, my 2 year old Van is raising hell here the last few days, I swear someone took my kid and swapped with someone else. I do not know this kid! LOL I hope he gets the hint soon that we're not going to fall for any of his games.... argggh I can't wait until this phase is over!