Am so desperate for some ideas for my 3 and a half year old.
*Please I don't want this to be a debate as to who parents correctly and who doesnt*
I feel I have tried everything when it comes to my 3 year old and being naughty. For example, he will touch things he shouldn't like light switches, fan switches, power points etc and I have done a lot of the following: Tried to distract him away (to which he will just go straight back and keep doing it), asked him nicely not to touch it, asked him nicely to stay away, told him that it upsets Mummy when he touches them, told him his toys would be given to other children if he didn't play with them instead (to which I have followed through and removed toys).
Now I have actually started raising my voice at him to try and get him to LISTEN but even that doesn't work. I have gotten to the stage now that I literally have to YELL and walk h to his room for him to actually pay attention.
He is usually such a sweet boy, very delicate and doesn't play rough with other children but it's like all of a sudden he has developed this stubbornness and does not want to listen to me.
It's very upsetting as I do not like to yell at him, however it's the only way now I can get him to listen.
Any other mums in this same situation or have been?
Need to know I'm not the only Mum that feels like she is a yelling banshee haha
Xox
3 Replies
Oh such a 3 year old thing to do!! Pushing pushing pushing! What are you doing (as in are you distracted by other things when he starts) when he's starting this behaviour? I know we can't play with them 24/7 but is it possible that he's doing it for the attention? If when you do need to be distracted or focused on other things can you set him up with a sensory activity or something that will hold his attention for a while?
Honestly, I'd just cover up the light switches, power points etc it sounds more like a special interest/ curiosity thing rather than a punish him out of it situation. Google child safety products, like the Mickey haha (covers the PowerPoint and switch even with a plug in them). Cover with furniture where you can. Even use gaffer tape if you have to. Supervise the shit out of him to keep him busy with other things. Remember trips to playgrounds, outside time, riding bikes and scooters, sandpits all equals time away from those temptations and less time yelling.
This was me a year ago.
I completely understand where you're coming from. I tried everything with my son.
Then one day someone said to me, why are you saying no to everything he's trying? He needs to explore his independance and saying no to everything means he can't and also he won't know what's dangerous or not because everything's a no.
It made me think and realise they were right
From there I started allowing him to play with light switches but power points are a big no no.
And he learnt over time and now 4.5 and won't go near a PowerPoint or the road etc but still plays with light switches cause it's something fun and whilst it might drive me slightly mad i'd rather he do that and know the real dangers then rebel and run on to road etc because he doesn't know the difference between a dangerous no and a mummy just doesn't like it no.