Geetle is going through quite a stubborn streak recently. She needs to be constantly entertained. Even when she is, she is grumpy and bored. She is constantly telling us she won’t do stuff. This is a very typical conversation these days.
“I want to watch TV.”
“No, it’s time to clean up your toys.”
“But…I want to watch TV. Arthur’s on.”
“No. It is time to clean up your toys. ”
“But….”
“No more buts. It is time to clean up your toys.”
“Okay. I’ll watch Arthur.”
“Go sit down on the naughty chair.”
In case you are not sure, Geetle is the one who is supposed to be picking up the toys in this script. I’m sure this is a pretty normal conversation for parents of 4 year olds that are going on 16. And, if I had some great advice to fix the problem, I would tell you. I promise. But, I don’t.
So, if anybody has one of those adorable newborn -18 month olds that I remember so fondly and is interested in seeing what bigger kids are like. I would be willing to trade with you for the next year or so.
If you are going through a similar phase at your house, you can try the techniques I mentioned here for breaking boredom cycles, but they won’t work. Four year olds are crazy.
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Ah – as the mother of a 4 year old I can relate too well. Glad to know someone else can commiserate with me.
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
We try to snip it at the first “But”; that would have resulted in a timeout in our house. The correct response to “Clean up your room” is “Yes Mommy/Daddy”. You’re allowed to state your case after that, but it has to start with Yes. As in, “Yes, Daddy, but you know they are actually my brother’s toys.”
It’s hard not to give a 4 year old a second chance, but, you know what, they learn quickly.
Brian has a pretty good idea to try…..which I’m sure you will or already have. Maybe modeling would help when she asks for something that you would ordinarily say no to, says yes but……Yes, but if you eat a cookie now you will not get one later when your brother gets one. Yes, you may watch arthur now instead of picking up your toys but if I have to pick up your toys that means I won’t have time to ……. or I will pick them up and put them in a big black garbage bag. That used to work when you were a kid and I never really threw anything away.
My 4 year old daughter is like that, too. I think someone switched my good girl when I wasn’t looking.
We’re pretty sure it is mostly just a phase. She’s gone through similar stubborn stretches before. We make sure to let her know we don’t think it is cool and send her to the naughty chair when she gets too out there.
The offer to swap for a cute cuddly baby is off the table though. She was nice most of the morning today. Maybe we’re getting close to getting the nice Geetle back.
Funny I was just thinking of posting on the same subject, only for my almost 3 year old boy. “Determination” is wonderful isn’t it?!
oops here via CFL ! LOL
I don’t have kids yet myself, but I remember when my little brothers were that age. It just seems that every kids has to go through that stage.
Here via the carnival of family life.
As the mother of 4 year old twin daughters, I can sooo relate to this LOL All I can hope for is that it will get better in the years to come… I came via CFL
I know this stage all too well. My #3, is 2 year old now and his favorite line is, “That’s not fair.”
That one he got from one of the older ones.
He also picked up something not so cute from me.
My situation is so depressing that I actually googled “extremely stubborn daughter” and this blog appeared at the top of the list.
My daughter refuses to cooperate in anything she considers routine, such as washing her teeth, having a bath. She spends almost a hour running around naked thinking its really funny that mummy is waiting by the sink with a cup and toothbrush. I just don´t find it funny anymore.
Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble right now. Stay consistent. Stay calm. And find little ways to make the boring things more interesting. Sometimes just asking our daughter normal everyday questions like “What are you going to take for snack to school tomorrow?” will get her to perk up.
It will get better as long as you stay consistent and calm.