4 year old behavior - how unusual is this?
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Anonymous
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My 4yo DS got a pair of scissors into his room for nap. He cut a corner from the duvet cover, one pillow case, a patch of sheet and mattress pad, part of a window cover, and one stuffed animal fur in a small place.
All the cuts are fairly small but it's really maddening. More than that, though, shouldn't a 4 yo not do this? How unusual is this and would it worry you? He is pretty defiant generally. We have clear rules and natural consequences. |
Anonymous
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Ouch. Was he mad about something?
My 4 year old DD does subversive things when she's angry. I would follow up with the natural consequence which is sewing them up or helping you sew. Maybe he just has to sit quietly with you and watch? On the other hand, I once chopped off a large noticeable chunk of my best friend's hair just for fun. |
Anonymous
| I used to cut things up all the time as a kid. Wasn't malicious. Just... boredom I guess? |
Anonymous
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He didn't say he was mad about anything. I think he had the idea to cut and he found it fun once he got started.
But most kids wouldn't do this, right? |
Anonymous
| It doesn't seem all that unusual to me. Maybe he wasn't tired and doesn't need a nap anymore. Many 4 year olds do not nap. |
Anonymous
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I did that as a kid. Boredom, curiosity, doing something I knew I shouldn't be, thought it was fun...etc. At least he was honest with you. Around that age I cut up the arm chair covers of my dad's chair and stuffed them underneath the cushion. when my dad found them, I tried to blame the dog....
I will say that it took me a looong time go grow out of it so I don't have any great advice. Sorry |
Anonymous
I would as a child, out of straight up boredom. I was, and still am to an extent, somewhat destructive, not being malicious just my mind was going 1000 miles per hour and stillness drove me nuts, so I'd mindlessly destroy things. |
Anonymous
| Totally normal. I think the only odd part is that he didn't cut his hair. Most kids will cut things if left with scissors and not much else to do. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't say it's unusual. I did all sorts of weird stuff when I was that age. I used to bite. It drove my mom insane. My brother would pinch. (Man, we were a handful). My 5 year old son draws racing stripes on furniture despite knowing he shouldn't. |
HW42
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| My 4 year-old would do it. She probably wouldn't even think about it until it was too late. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like he's a curious kid. I'd find more age-appropriate science activities. |
Anonymous
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OP here. It often feels to me like my friends' kids wouldn't dream of doing the things my son does. I'm glad to hear this act isn't so strange.
He did lie about it though. I found one cut and he claimed there weren't anymore. There were many more! I forgot to add his shirt, which is ruined. |
Anonymous
. Now that you mentioned it, I'd bet money he did and I failed to notice it. |
Anonymous
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Normal. My Ds cut a big patch out of arm of our expensive sofa. It was there. DW and I agree to keep everything as is until kids around ten. Them donate or trash everything.
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Anonymous
My take- most 4 year old girls would not, but yes, most 4 yr old boys given the chance would not think it to be strange. Maybe even expect you to be proud of his work...mother of a 2 and 4 yr old boys |