4 yr old DS acts like baby ADVISE please?

angelrue522

He just turned 4 in April and we have another due in about 6 weeks. He has always been a little immature for his age, but lately it has been worse. He refuses to use his words, he wants me to dress him, he whines constantly, throws horrible tantrums at the drop of a hat. Other people have noticed and have been making comments. I dont see any behavioral disorders that he fits into like ADD, autism or sensory disorders. Nothing has changed in our environment or lives to set this off. I am so worried how he will react when the new baby comes because he demands SO much from us.

Anyone else have problems with this? Any advise on how to make him act like a "big boy"?

AZ123

We saw the most acting out with DS1 when I was 6 weeks out to my due date. Little ears are listening to your conversations and hear things like "when the baby is here" and "I can't wait to have this baby". I believe your 4 year old is trying to deal with his feelings but obviously going the wrong way about it. Maybe sit him down and try to have him talk to you about it. Explain things like he'll heat the baby cry because baby's cry a lot but that it isn't going to be his job to take care of the baby. That his job is to just be him, play with his friends, go to school and do special things with mommy and daddy. Also try to not mention the baby in front of him too much. 

jlw2505

I would bet money that this is all in response to the new baby that is coming - he knows something is up and this is how he is getting attention plus 4 is a hard age - they are still little in some ways and big kids in others.  My 4 year old sometimes acts like a baby and we just call her on it and ask her if she is a big girl and ask her how big girls act and things like that.  She does it totally for the attention and when she doesn't feel like doing something by herself (like putting her shoes away when we get home after preschool).  It is a phase that they outgrow.

angelrue522

Thanks ladies!