How do you survive age four?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sometimes with spanking

OP here - I did smack his butt for the first time over the weekend when he got out of control. One swat. He hit me back.

Of course he did, you just showed him that hitting someone is a good way to communicate your frustration with him. He learned really quick.

This. This is the age where you can actually talk to them. We used timeouts, explained consequences of their actions, being consistent with these consequences and, sounding out how they feel, and recognizing and providing solution on how to deal with it works. It's not instant but they will eventually get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sometimes with spanking

OP here - I did smack his butt for the first time over the weekend when he got out of control. One swat. He hit me back.

When we did it, that's not how it worked. I'll explain if you care to hear it, but not interested in a debate. And it was effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son turns four in a couple of weeks. He has become SO unpleasant. Rude, disrespectful, ignores me, does whatever he wants, hits and screams when he's mad. But he's an angel at school (we're a couple of days into PK4 in DCPS, and around his grandparents and others he is THE most charming gentleman you ever met. Of course he has his sweet moments with me but the bad times are just torture. Please tell me it gets better.

np Your son feels safe with you after keeping it together for preschool. Maybe start a new routine where he can decompress. You can give him a snack and let him do something quietly ( either play with his toys or watch a show if that is allowed) It is only a phase and it will get better. Try not to ask too many questions at the end of the day until he has had his snack/relax time.

[Anonymous]

I miss 4! So sweet at that age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I miss 4! So sweet at that age.

Oh, yes. You will wish for these days when they are teenagers.

[Anonymous]

My kid is now eighteen and I remember four being really tough. He had lots of anger and frustration. But five was better. Hang in there!

[Anonymous]

One of the hallmarks of being a four year old is feeling frustration often… there is sometimes a disconnect between what they want to do and what they are capable of doing and that disparity causes anger.