Terrible 4's also?

Question

My daughter is 4 years old and I also have my step-daughter living here as well. Every night at bedtime I tell them to pick up toys, its time for bed. And every night she starts whining and crying about "im too tired"....or "i just need ____"....."I just cant"....its always something and its so aggravating! Ive tried rewarding them but I feel I should have to reward them for something they know they need to do. Does anyone else have any calm, rational suggestions to make this time easier for us all?

Answer 1

Give a rebuttal for her excuses.

If she says "I'm too tired" then say "Well that's good, you'll be ready for bed when you get the toys picked up" or "If you weren't too tired to get them out, then you're not too tired to pick them up."

If she says "I just need___" then say "Alright, well pick up the toys and you can have that."

If she says "I just can't" then say "Well if you can't pick them up then I guess you can't play with them anymore."

I wouldn't suggest giving rewards because if she gets a reward now then she'll expect a reward for everything else.

Answer 2

Yes !!!!let them know that if they take out the toys then they need to put them away, or they cant play with them or do what I did, I made it a game and praised my son. I said the first one to pick up all the toys wins.. set a timer and go.. try to get dad in on it to and make it a game. then after it is done reward them both and tell them what good kids they are and reward them with hugs!

Good luck.. I know it is hard!!! The lil things that we have to do!!
I did it and after wards my son would just do it on his own and then he would come and get me to show me what he had done.. and I would praise him. Then a lil cookie or something but sometimes kisses and hugs were just fine!

Answer 3

If she says that she's too tired then tel them to pick up earlier. The frist one to pick up all the toys that night should get to pick out a bedtime story.