4 year old acts terrible need help!!

Olismom

So I have this wonderful son whom I love with all my heart. However he acts awful he is bouncing off the walls 24/7 never calms down climbs all over us constantly hits touches very clingy constantly wants contact. He will not play by himself at all. Now all of this wears me our obviously. But he also has a bad attitude he seems to think he can do whatever he wants which is not the case. He is rude and does not listen. I have tried time outs spanking talking to him ignoring him everything and nothing seems to work. I am a high school teacher and I get so mad because parents don't seem to have any control over their children and the kids are so rude and I keep thinking I don't want my son to grow up and act like that but he is obviously on that path. Help what do I do? Also my mom thinks him being a preemie has something to do with all of this. He was 3 months early.

fitmom82

You seem to give consequences for negative behavior, what about trying a sticker chart for some rewards

Olismom

I wrote this last night after a rough trip to target probably bad timing a little too much frustration. I have tried rewards as well sticker charts small toys and things for good days hours activities etc. I have read a lot about strong willed children and tried the things they suggest and nothing has seemed to work so far. I will try the other books suggested. Thank you all

Olismom

We have also done food therapy a few times and along with that came some other therapies when he was in the hospital and sensory activities were one thing for him he lacks some of what most people have and needs more touching and pressing hard on thing and I know that and we reinforce that stuff as well.

@wife07mom09‌ during the therapy he saw a child psychologist they didn't see much of a concern just suggested some books on strong willed kids and 123 magic I have read tons of those books and blogs but haven't seen much progress with him. Not sure what you mean by professional help for me? Maybe my post puts me in a bad light but I do everything I can for my child including different parenting styles and lots of love.

Olismom

We have also done food therapy a few times and along with that came some other therapies when he was in the hospital and sensory activities were one thing for him he lacks some of what most people have and needs more touching and pressing hard on thing and I know that and we reinforce that stuff as well.

@wife07mom09‌ during the therapy he saw a child psychologist they didn't see much of a concern just suggested some books on strong willed kids and 123 magic I have read tons of those books and blogs but haven't seen much progress with him. Not sure what you mean by professional help for me? Maybe my post puts me in a bad light but I do everything I can for my child including different parenting styles and lots of love.

Olismom

What is spd? OK so he was preemie had trouble swallowing and was on Thickener because of that he also wouldn't eat or gain weight much so we had to go to the hospital and live for a month while they did food therapy. While we were there he had occupational therapy she said he wouldn't actually qualify but thay because we were already there they would work on some things and she said he has sensory output issues which is why he presses too hard when he colors and sits on his legs and ND climbs all over us.

Olismom

Thanks for the info

dashofreality

Fred covered it well, but I will add that a lot of preemies have SPD. That being said, the one red flag I see is the 'trying everything'. Which sounds like you may not be consistent. With a 4 year old I would just be honest with him. We have been allowing x,y,z but it needs to stop. I am going to work on being calm but this is what I expect of you - and lay things out specifically.

While I would expect him to be able to play himself, I would also throw 'Playful Parenting' onto your list. It sounds like he could benefit from some sensory input, roughhouse playing, and more physical contact.