3 1/2 Yr Old Went Crazy!

I am going thru a very similar situation right now with my 3 1/2 yr old. My plan. I have been keeping my boundries/rules tight. They are concrete! However, after realizing that he is a BOY, and he rarely gets a chance to do anything RULE FREE, I have instituted the 'goof off' plan. I tell him there are 2 times..1. goof off time 2. no goofing off time. So, before we enter a place, or a time (dinner) I state which time it is..then make sure that he has a few 'goof off' times a day.. this is working SO well..he appreciates the independence of his goof off time, and he is much more willing to settle down for serious time! I think the most important thing is to stick to your guns.. rules are rules and actions require consequences. Maybe after a few years, they won't test so much. ;) Just some ideas from my insane house.. good luck!

Hi Shari
Kids that age seem to really "try our patience" and they do copy those around them. If you stop having the other children with negative influences around him and show him more considerate ways to behave he will be find. You have not lost control, even tho at times you may think that- his behavior will get back tonormal soon.
good luck and blessings

I would recommend the book To Train Up A Child by Michael Pearl (nogreaterjoy.org). It will give you good direction, even if you don't agree with it all.

All is not lost!

Your son needs to understand that he is not allowed to behave like those other boys. How long are they in your care? All day? I also think you need to work on the other 2 little boys as well. If they are with you all day, you have more influence on them than their own parents.

I would start with your own little boy and make what behaviors are acceptable VERY clear. Continue with you consistent discipline. Apply the same rules to any child that comes into your house no matter what. That way you are not sending mixed signals. Everyone has the same rules, everyone has the same outcome when they do not follow those rules.

Good Luck!

It's always so hurtful when our "babies" show outright defiance. We take it very personally...and it can tend to knock us off our game. As the other ladies have said here, this is not a done deal, but the key to changing it is you. You have to be consistent, even with other people's children. You can't think that because you are only with them temporarily, they can cross lines that you have set. There should be a standard for how you interact with children, what you teach them. What's acceptable and unacceptable goes for all of them. Your consistency is key.