Positive Discipline help and a 4 year old

Meg&Jesse

Okay...this approaching 4 is kicking my butt.  I thought 2 was pretty easy compared to what I thought it was going to be and 3 had it's rough patches, but we were able to work a lot of things out.  Now....I feel like I am at a loss.  I just finished a bunch of the positive discipline books and still dont know what to do.  Cry, maybe!?!

Lately DS does not seem to listen to anything.  And he does a lot of "testing" the limits.  One example is tonight at swim lessons.  DS would not go in the pool and then when he did he was walking around the other end of the pool and playing on one of the pool toys.  He did not listen to the teacher at all.  I have been using a lot of one word instructions to see if that helps him listen, like "shoes" or "brush teeth"...and that seems to help.

Any suggestions?  Or just tell me what I am in for with a 4 year old!

Meg&Jesse

Justsummie:

No help here but we are having the same problem.  I think it has something to do with the baby comming.  I've heard its not uncommon for them to start acting up even before baby gets here as they are sensing and reacting to a big change in their lives.

 

Never thought of that, but it makes so much sense!  DS has moved rooms and all the baby stuff is coming out...so yeah he is definitely picking up on the changes.  Duh...why didn't I think of that!?