4 Year Old EXTRA Sensitive

My son is the same. Everyone says he is such a nice boy you have raised him so well but for me he is horrible. Well not all the time it's like he is suddenly mr helpfull and happy and ten he gs bored frustrated and tired and won't do anything and yells and starts puching the baby around and then I want to pull my hair out. He will do anything my husband asks him to do.
Honestly he is easiest to get along with if I have him help me with cooking. I hate it it's a mess but he LOVES it. we make carrot cookies or bannana bread or even playdough which he loves. Giving him a chore that is fun like washing the windows or something like that is the easiest thing to keep him happy.
I think my son's problem is he gets bored and tired but won't nap anymore.
There is a book called
Your Four-Year-Old : Wild And Wonderful
Author: Ames, Louise Bates.
and it's been around a long time. It helps to understand the stage of your child's physical and emotional development. Check it out it's cheap and a great resource. I've used them from 1 - 4 and love them.
Good luck

You're right - it's probably just a phase he's going through. Is he getting enough attention from you? Are there any major changes that would throw him off? Has his diet changed? Did your schedule change? Talk to your pediatrician - that's what they are there for!

any changes at home? changes at school? new friends?
he's either learning it from seeing it on someone else or something is bothering him that he may not want to talk about (bullying? not feeling well?)
once you find out nipping it the bud before it becomes the norm rather than the exception is your best offense.

Make sure he is getting enough sleep. That is crucial right now if he is going through a growth spurt. Both of my kids get like this if either they aren't sleeping well or if they are getting sick. Being a rebel or acting out, that may be a phase of testing you. If you are truly concerned talk to your Pediatrician. However, a behavior chart to let him know what is not okay anymore and reel him back in there, then making sure he is getting 11-12 hours a sleep a night.
Hang in there.....you know both of my kids had a form of apnea due to enlarged adnoids and I wasn't fully aware that is why they were not sleeping well. I had thought they had a good night sleep when in fact they tossed and turned and had acted stuffed up at night. They both had their adnoids out at different times but it did wonders with their getting real sleep.

Maybe he is allergic to something. Watch his diet... is he eating lots of dairy or wheat products, etc? Try taking one of these out and see how he does.