Listening

what i did with my kids, boys or girls at that age was, make them sit on edge of their bed no toys, no playing just sitting for length of time of their age. it is like a time out but, they can see their favorite things but can't touch. if that didn't work i took their favorite toy away for a certain amount of time. ages 3-4 are a tough time they want to know what everything under the sun does, and to see just how far they can push your buttons. also if they did get off the bed before i said it was ok, they had to sit longer. they had to sit alone though. at that age you have to come down to their size, not above them. otherwise they feel like your bulling them. but keep your voice stern, if a child hears a waiver in your voice at all they will take advantage of it quickly.

Hi A.,

Are you children in a daycare center or in a inhome center? Sometimes moving them to a home gives them more one on one time and that is what they are looking for. It is also the age a little bit, I have a 6 and a 2 year old. I do in home daycare and if you think that you might want to try it I can give you a number to find good care in your area. ###-###-####

Thanks
T.

Hi A.
I read a great book called Children are from Heaven. It is by the same arthur that wrote men are from mars, women from venus... It has great info that would help you out.

Hey there A. I am new to this site as well.

I too have a 4 year old, honestly this age is the greatest.
However there are times you wonder, what am I doing wrong??
Well I have found that when I was working full time and my little ones were in daycare. They were a lot harder to reason with. Part of it is also age, I have three children. 3,4, and 10. Since I have taken them out and stayed home, they are a lot easier to deal with. Now I know that we all cant stay home, and that is how it is today. Trust me without Arbonne I wouldn't have been able to stay at home. I found that if I got down and talked to him in a calm and gentle manner he responded well. Make sure you are at his level..This is important..They can sense a stressed out parent, they are so incrediably intuitive.
I know that when you work full time and have to come home and take care of the house and kids it is truly tough.
Just try to remember that they miss you and even negative attention is something??
Most of all be patient, this is incrediably hard when they are trying you the most but look at it as they are only little for a short time. Kids grow up soo fast, enjoy them.. Love them and now that this to will pass...
Hope that helps a little??

Good Luck,
Deb

Hi A.,
It sounds like you have gotten some really good advise. I also have a 4yr old and work. I TOTALLY understand the not listening. I do think that it sometimes has to do with the wanting attention- sometimes it is a hunger thing- my daycare provder mentioned that maybe he needed a snack when he started acting up and said that usually protien seems to work best and that has helped however there are times when he is just being a pain and not listening. These are the times when i either take away a privalige like he will lose the right to ride his bike for a day or I will remove a toy from him for a few days. Being that he has a little brother and sister he is really sensitive about being the oldest and having his special things that he gets to do- usually just the threat of loosing them is enough.

hope that helps a little.
L.