Reply to I have no idea how to parent my 4 year old

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[quote=Anonymous]I found with my 4 year old I had to stop using so many words.  They can hear you, but they still have impulse control issues.  Major ones!

So it was much less frustrating for me to say "please don't turn off the light" and then when she'd do it (because OF COURSE) then I'd go next to her, and try to be super calm and say "don't turn off the light" while being right there.  If she's doing that, it's normally because she wants attention.  So then I may re-direct her to something I can do in that moment with her.  Sit on my lap for a few minutes, go read a book, go play with X etc.  Sometimes I think she just wanted me to sit down and focus on her.  And then once I did that, would much more happily flit away to do her own thing.

Four is hard because they seem SO MUCH more reasonable than age 3 (which is mania).  But they are still really little.

I also try to think about how much of the day my kid has had to follow instructions and use her impulse control.  It doesn't mean I don't ask her to behave, but it gives me empathy for how hard she has to work every day.

And take him outside and run him ragged and then do quiet time.

Lastly, find something he can be an expert on and let him tell you how to do it.  4 year olds LOVE knowing how to do things way better than you.

Those are all my tricks![/quote]

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