my son is driving me mad?

Question

my four year old boy is pretty good most of the time....but around dinner times he turns in to a monster...running around...teasing the dog etc...we have bed time routine but he constantly asks for drinks...the toilet...the window to be put up or down the list is endless and as soon as i walk out the room he is calling me back...my husband works away 4 days of the weeks and if i am on my own .....i start off being calm but end up losing it after an hour or so of this...as i have had him for 12 to 13 hours on my own and just want a break....it dosnt seem to matter how angry i get he still keeps calling me back which frustrates me even more...any tips

Answer 1

At 4 he knows exactly what he is doing...you're letting him get away with it and he see that. You have to put your foot down and be consistent. By all means stick to your routine...bath, toilet, read..etc (whatever your routine is) but when he calls you back tell him NO and stick to it!
I had my 3 yr old doing the same thing to me..it was driving me nuts! I just got fed up and said NO then I left him crying & throwing his tantrum and eventually he went to sleep. It continued for about a week (a week of me holding back, I wanted to go in and get him what he wanted just so he would be quiet!) Now he goes to bed without a problem (every now and then he does try and test me).
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sounds like a typical 4 year old, he's testing you. Does he go to preschool or is there a park district activity you could put him in so that he gets some of that 4 year old boy energy out. The night time thing is going to be hard but you just have to stop answering. When he gets mad don't respond. It will take about a week before he realizes you are at his beck & call and will stop. I joined a playgroup with some women my neighbor met on line and it's really helped my 3.5 year old daughter. Good luck and it sounds like you need a little "me" time. Try finding a neighbor or a sitter 1 afternoon a week to do your errands or get a manicure. Maybe even so you can go sit at the library and read peacefully. Another idea is the gym, if you have 1 w/ a playroom that could give him time to interact w/others and for you to work out alone. Doing this after lunch may help w/his afternoon energy. Good luck!

Answer 3

I would make it a part of the bedtime routine - he gets a drink, uses the bathroom - or whatever. Then you go in and let him pick out a story - read it to him while he is in bed. After the story is over you say good night you can tell him that if he calls out to you the next night he won't get a story before bed - or something gets taken away from him. And if he doesn't call out to you reward him with something - dessert or he gets 2 stories - whatever will work for him - but just make sure you follow through. If he calls out and he looses the story make sure the next night you don't read him the story. Whatever you choose to do be consistent. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Ignore him, as hard as it is. Just make sure you let him know that it is bed time and that you love him. He is pushing you to the max to find out how much he can get away with. If at meal times he acts up then ask him to leave the table if he cannot sit and eat nicely. Good luck I have a just 5 year old that tries that some days.

Answer 5

I have a four year old my self. She tends to be needed also, but you have to explain the situation to your child. Kids understand more than we think. You have to lay down the rules as pictured as possible for the child to understand. If it doesn't work out at night time and you left him as comfortable as possible some times you have to let him just call out. If your really frustrated and stress ask some one at least on night or even for the to watch him for you. Take that time to do any thing you enjoy doing. It reduces stress for yourself and clears your mind so you'll have more patiences. Hope this helps

Answer 6

IGNOR IT. dont say a word and walk away let him get mad as he wants and dont cave in. also i find it nice to watch super nanny and take notes. actually i am seriously considering bringing her into my house to help me out with my 2 1/2 year old brat.

Answer 7

You should teach him whose boss. Or its cause your not giving him the attention that he needs.Four yr olds need allot of love from thier parents.They say if thier parents dont give them allot of love they become even more worse in the future. Try loving him more and try telling him whose boss.

Answer 8

when he goes to bed shut the door and ignore him. take some time for urself. my kid is 3 and she does the same i just ignore her except when i look in on her to make sure she isn't up playing.