How do I stop my 4 year old from argueing with me?

Answer 1

Don't argue with the 4 year old. You're the parent what you say is the law and the 4 year old must listen or set to their room. Be the parent and stand up and make the law in your home. If you argue now how are you going to win after they're a teenager.

Answer 2

It depends why your child is arguing. Sometimes they just try to show in this way that something isn't right for them. I was arguing with my mother cause i didn't wont to go to the kinder-garden. It did not come into my mind to say that the reason was a teacher, who used to slap us.
If it is just a mood, then try to explain the consequences... in a funny way, don't argue. Give your child so much respect, to explain things, even if you don't feel to do it, or don't have time. If this does not work, try to get the attention on other things. If you concentrate on the bad thing, the child will do it too. Give more attention to the "well done" things. Do not take everything too serious and be more flexible.
In this age, your child will test the borders, how far he\she can go with you. Be steady, and consequent, also because you are the idol-person and the child learns from you.
And there is nothing abnormal, and has nothing to do with misbehaviour, if your child says sometimes "No" to you. It is very healthy and normal. Just keep it in ballance.

Answer 3

I had a very push, bossy know it all ( by the age of three) who lead me to the brink of my sanity, then while hoping that some on PBS would occupy her mind I found Love and Logic.
Have you ever heard of Love And Logic ?
It is a great system that basically lets the child learn to make better choice, yes that means that you intentionally let your child make mistake ( not life harming) so that they can learn.
I had a daughter that would never eat her dinner and then right at bed time start crying that she was hungry. I of course being a first time mommy would give in and feed her. L&L would say don't give in after a few night of going to bed hungry she will know that you mean it and eat. Lots of little choices like that.
Exapmple : " It is time to clean up your cars, you can clean them now or before bed but if the are not put away I will keep them for one week before you can play with them again. " Of course there is scraeming when you take them away but that is just them learning To buy there stuff can be costly but the library is alway my first choice of new reading material so I avoided the cost. The storys of other parents are great and very funny. After raising two of my brothers and four of my own I know it works. It may not be a quiet way but it is a smart way to raise thinking children. Good luck and you can always just stop talking for about an hour and when he has no one to argue with it may not be as much fun.

Answer 4

If it's arguing bedtimes, sitting at the table during meals, or things like stopping play, then a time out is appropriate.

However, 4 year olds are learning logical thinking, so make sure the arguing isn't really something that sounds like an argument but is really logic that s/he's developing. In this case, join in the argument and turn it into a discussion. It lets the toddler know that their views are important and validates their thinking processes.

Answer 5

Don't argue back. Really---simply do not entertain the arguement. Say he/she wants a cookie right before dinner, and you say no. Instead of waiting around for him to answer (or argue about it) say no in a firm and definite way and then walk away and go about your business. So often I see parents sit there and wait for the argument to ensue since they are so used to it. That will just give him/her momentum to start one in the first place. If she/he starts to argue with you. then give a warning and say "I already said no and it is not up for discussion. If you continue to talk about it there will be a consequence." If he/she continues to argue, then follow through with the consequence. You'll have to do this many times before your child "gets" that when you say NO you mean it. So be consistant. Also, make sure that your child knows that you DO listen to her/his point of view on some issues.... you pick and choose where you are able to do this and make a point of finding those things and allowing him/her time to discuss with you. But what he/she needs to realize is that some things are NOT going to be up for discussion (you ARE the parent) and when you do say no---that you mean it.

Answer 6

I'm trying to get my stubborn two year old to stop lol .. best thing Ive found is to not argue with them in the first place, they copy our actions and learn from us but it is important to not let them walk all over u, be calm but firm give two warnings and then sit them on the bottom of the stairs make sure u tell them why they are out there, and when u feel its time they can come back explain that if it carries on they will go to their room, once they know and they behave let it go, with the less naughty behaviour try to distract them from it with a game or something u know will interest them .. its easy to give advise but threres no set way as we are all different, try things and see whats best for u, from one sometimes stressed mummy to another good luck :)

Answer 7

That's a situation that requires you to be consistent - no matter what is going on or where you are. I have no problem walking out of a grocery store (after shopping for 30 minutes) or putting my 3 1/2 yr old on time out at a friend or family members house.

I agree with time-out or taking privileges away for a child who is misbehaving.
I feel that being a parent there is a lot of negotiating with your child. But some things are not always up for negotiation
First of all you are the parent and what you say is final. You can explain that to your child and follow up with a firm NO, and tell them that you are not going to discuss it with them any more.
If they argue with you give them a time out. If they continue to argue with you send them to their room. But most importantly REWARD and praise them for good behavior.... stickers, a extra story, a program on TV, etc. Hopefully if you spend a little more time on rewarding them - they will try to please you more. And if none of those work - then bribery is always good.

Answer 8

well all i could reccomend is after you have put your point across make a point of not speaking to your child about it again even if they keep going on and on about the subject, talk about something different engage them in something....whats that out the window....ooohh look what i just found, or failing that lock yourself in the bathroom until they stop talking about it!! if they are really arguing about something and ignoring it doesnt work try the time out techinque it really does work , give them 2 warnings if they dont stop going on about whatever it is then you will sit on the time out chair/bottom step of the stairs.. sit them on it straight away if they keep going on after the second warning, do not speak to them leave them on there for 1 minute if they keep coming off then just keep putting them back on , the first time will probably be a nightmare but it really does work for all sorts of things, after they have done their minute or 2 then explain to them why you sat them there, if they keep going on about the subject they were arguing about then do the same thing , 2 warnings about what will happen then time out again , they will get the message that mum is in charge and what she says happens

this may sound like hard work but i know how 4 year olds can get to you , i have 2 kids of my own and i work in a pre school so i have this 24 /7 but believe me this will work if you follow it all through , if you want any other help please just email me

good luck :)

Answer 9

who taught him to argue in the first place!?! I have a 4yr old foster child who is starting to do this. He doesn't see any arguing in our home, so I can only guess he gets it when he visits his parents at their home (he has 2 hr visits twice a week, with each parent). I just firmly tell him (name), you don't talk to me that way...I told you to do something and I mean to do it. He usually hangs his little face, as I believe he almost thinks he is playing a game, and then usually does whatever we ask.

Answer 10

You shouldnt be argueing with a 4 year old. You just tell him/her once and mean it. They need to understand you are the one in charge and if they cant accept that then send them to their room, deny watching TV - anything that'll get through to them. If you dont stop this now your child will never have respect for you.