Agh, please tell me other mums out there are having the same problems- our 4year old son and his 2 year old brother have been so testing - arguing the point with us, not listening when told to do something, fighting with each-other, deliberately doing things they know are naughty.
The 4 year old doesn't seem to be able to express his emotions properly and has short attention span.
Both my husband and I feel like we are yelling all day long!! It's stressful thinking we are doing something wrong.
Is this just boys?! I love that they are high energy and real boys boys, but the naughtiness is not on!! Is this just a phase??
Reward charts only seem to work on short term (2 days) any other suggestions??
5 Replies
Definition of boys: noise with dirt on it.
Definitely sounds like my two, and they're only 11 months and 3.5 years.
My sons play group is full of boys too, the act EXACTLY the same as you describe!
My advice, pick your battles.
They're yelling at each other? Meh. Close the door and let them sort it out.
Follow through. If you say they're getting a time out if they do X, give them time out. (No open threats).
What do you mean is it boys? It's children!!!! Lol
It can be a phase. Also praise them as much as you can when they are doing the right thing.
Is the 4 year old in kindy?? If not get him in kindy/ daycare for a few days a week. Just having those few days of stimulation from outside sources is excellent. Plus if there is something more going on kindy/daycare will be a great place to see that. If they do go to daycare/kindy ask how they are going.
I find boys soooooooo much more difficult than girls! I hope they settle for you soon.
Two awesome books (easy reads) Siblings without Rivelry and How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. I read them when nannying and the techniques work like MAGIC!!!!
My 5yo and 3yo boys are the same ! My 3yo gets physical though and that's really hard !! They are forever screaming and hitting and kicking and I'm forever yelling 'we don't hit and kick ' ' leave eachother alone ' etc etc etc I'm trying to let them sort it out a bit more but gosh it's noisey and they always end up in tears ? It's a tough gig