Why is my son so obnoxious with his little sister?

Question

My son is 4 1/2 and he is constantly all over his sister who is almost 2. He doesn't seem to hit her because he's angry. He is just so hyper and excited that he knocks her down and hits her in the head. It's just so frustrating to keep telling him to leave her alone and send him to time-out over and over again. How do I stop his behavior and why does he do this?

Answer 1

It almost sounds like an attention battle--he knows that when he gets out of hand, he gets attention...he might be jealous of his sister...reassure him that you love him just as much as his sister and that he should too...he might need to hear that, because he was the baby b4 she came along---

Answer 2

It may be sibling rivalry. Give him a little extra special one-on-one attention. My daughter, who is 11 does this kind of thing to my two sons aged 2 and 3. She's done it since they were born practically but it's gotten worse since they could walk and talk. I think she's just so used to having all the attention focused on her that she'll do anything to get it back, even if it means that she gets into trouble. She's not doing anything mean, she's just trying to be involved with what's going on. He could be trying to express his love and excitement for having her around but doesn't know how to express it appropriately too. Tell him to be gentle teach him what's appropriate by showing and telling him. Those are just some ideas. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

When my son was that age, I had the same problem. My little one kept getting hurt due to his hyperactivity and carelessness. It's normal and I think it's common problem for most parents with a sibling hurting the smaller child constantly by accident. I guess the only thing you can really do is never leave the smaller one alone around him. He will outgrow it eventually.

Answer 4

He may not realize how strong his movements are against the two year old.
Try instead of telling him to "leave her alone" ~which could cause anxt AND aggression, ~try sitting on the floor with both children and roll a ball back and forth. While rolling the ball~ if he pushes it to hard ~coach him how to do it lighter. You may teach the difference in force applied this way. Also by gently stoking his arm and say "be easy like this" and then demonstrate more pressure on his arm and say "not hard like this".

Answer 5

He sounds very normal and 4.5 year olds don't know their own strength, nor do they understand that thier little sister is more fragile. Boys need to run, jump and knock each other down, it's what they do. Our 3.5 year old takes running leaps at people, and tries to rough house with our 6 pound dog...I understand. It's not one of his finer characteristics, and I pray it's just a phase. Find another boy quick! Is there another boy, even as old as 6 or 7 in your neighborhood that he can play with? We love getting the kids to kick a soccer ball - it wears them out and gets them foused on the ball, not their sibling.

Answer 6

thats older brothers for you!
if he is very hyper then maybe look at his diet(watch for e-numbers and lots of sugar) or visit your GP if it is really worrying you.
however generally speaking a lot of small kids are like that, my nephew is like that and it's just because he is too excitable and gets carried away easily.
time out is a good idea because it gives him a chance to calm down a little.
and try to chat to him about being careful around his little sister so she dosn't get seriously hurt

Answer 7

i used to be like that when i was little i think...my mom used to tell me that i would throw myself all around and just scream. LOL. now she just laughs about it but she said it was really obnoxious and claims to have almost killed me on one or more occasions.

anyways i think i grew out of that of course and i think i am pretty normal now....and me and my sister get along great. just give him time, he is only 4 years old!

Answer 8

change your reaction because he is getting your attention.