Thursday, June 05, 2008

Are all almost five year olds this hard?

I think Ashley is definitely going through some sort of transition, and it's hard. The past couple of nights have not been fun. She hasn't been listening to us, and the only way to punish her is to take something away. Last night we had the inflatable water slide out, and she kept doing things she shouldn't and would not listen to us when we told her to stop. We ended up making her get out and get her clothes on. Which in turn made her cry for about 30 minutes straight which breaks my heart.

I think it's a lot of things adding up - the weather is warmer (as in a heat index of 100 today) and her class is spending more time outside. She isn't napping like she was at school, so she is getting to the end of the day and is extremely tired. She has even told us how tired she is. I also think she is ready to move on from Pre-K and onto kindergarten which happens in a month. She graduates from Pre-K on June 20th, and starts kindergarten on July 7th.

We have punished her in the evenings and sent her to her room. When Ray or I have tried to talk to her on some occasions, she tells us to go away because she is mad at us. Having your four year old tell you this? I was not prepared. I am glad she can express her feelings, but still. Makes me cry.

I can only imagine what the teenage years are going to be like.

20 comments:

Happy Working Mom said...

Oh Amy I'm so there. My daughter does the exact same thing. It's like she's in such an awkward phase right now because I'll try to talk to her and she'll tell me to go away, but then when I start to leave she'll run up and give me a hug and say "mommy I love you." It's like they are really learning this whole emotion-business.

I haven't figured it out yet, but I know it really is a pain in the butt.

3XMom said...

I'm so glad I am not alone. My just-turned 6 year old girl is doing the same thing. Whining, fussing, and then when she gets in trouble she will say I am the meanest mommy and she doesn't want to talk to me. Arghhh...maybe it is a brief (I pray its brief) preview of teenage angst?

Julie said...

Yes!!!

As a suggestion, if she's really tired and wiped out, maybe instead of playing outside at night suggest she do something quiet and inside where it's cooler. Or where you can start winding her night down earlier to get her to chill. I know Abby is usually just done by Thursday night and needs that night to chill inside.

CPA Mom said...

Tigger is being quite defiant too. And thinks its funny. I don't cry with this behavior though, I get mad. Very mad. Which isn't a good feeling either. All we can do is support each other I guess and wait for them to grow out of it!

(((((HUGS)))))

Anonymous said...

Dude . . .I feel your pain . . . Princess is 5 1/2 and we do this almost every. single. day. I can't wait for the hormones to kick in ;-)

She's sweet sweet sweet, but man is she independent and temperamental!!!

I wouldn't have it any other way :-)

Cat said...

My almost 5 year old's favorite phrase, "leave me alone." It's lovely. I'm trying to accept it as a growth spurt, both physically and emotionally. Whatever I have to tell myself to make it through the day!

Good luck. Just think, one day she'll be 13 and you'll be nostalgic for these days :)

Bethany said...

Yes. Ebaby turned five in March and apparently that is the expiration date for cute and squishy!

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

You are so not alone. Kaylie is still that way and she is 7! Haley is starting to act that way too. I think it's just the age. They want more freedom and are still learing limits. It's hard. I just have to keep telling myself that I am teaching them. They may get mad at me now but I have to think about what kind of people I want them to be and they have to learn to follow rules.

Sabrina said...

Alyssa went through a bout of this a couple weeks ago. We started hunkering down on our disciplining and that seems to have worked so far. Who knows. They have hormones too. Can't wait till puberty.

Instead of "talking" about how we were going to punish her, we actually started punishing her. For instance, we keep telling both of them over and over and over to keep their rooms clean. Well they didn't. So Mitch said yesterday "If you don't clean up the room, no coloring for 2 days". So they don't get to color for two days.

They will cry, they will pout. They know exactly what triggers your button, but if you hang in there, it will all sort out and they'll be a better kid in the end for it.

My 3 year old knows how to wrap us around her finger. She's the one we have to watch!

Sabrina said...

PS: They will cry. They do this to get a reaction. We ask them to leave the room and go sit by themselves and cry and tell them that when they've calmed down, they can come back out. I know, this makes me sound like Nazi mom, but you realize pretty darned quick that they cry harder in front of you than when you're not paying attention to them.

Sabrina said...

Ok, i'm back again.

I do not let my child tell me to go away. If she does, then I will squat in her room and tell her that what she said was very rude and it hurt my feelings (They're really into this "feelings" thing at school). Do not let her think that she can control when you leave that room.

Alyssa knows if she says "Go away", my answer back will be "EXCUSE ME???" She did this once, and she hasn't tried it again.

Lesson learnt.

Ok, Nazi mom signing off now.

SJINCO said...

I totally know what you are talking about!

Keven Jr. has lost his ears lately as the listening has become a thing of the past. And he tells me often that he hates me, or is mad at me, or whatever depending on the situation.

I usually don't let it bother me (and ignore his words) because typically when I react to something sassy - his behavior gets worse.

It's a phase, it'll pass! Hang in there....

frannie said...

oh, my. that is hard stuff to hear.

I am so not ready for any of that type of stuff.

Anonymous said...

I have no idea but I'm not looking forward to it!

Pam said...

If you figure it out- let me know. My 4 year old is being a bit of a brat right now- whining, crying, pouting, talking back, being mean to her brother, etc. It is frustrating because I can't seem to get her to break out of this phase or mood she is in.

Michele_3 said...

Sounds like your describing my little man to a T..
Going through same phase! I just keep hoping he doesn't act up so much like this when he starts KG in August!
YIKES!!

Mel said...

Hang in there! Kinds just like to express their independence and like you said also their feelings. Both of my kids have said how much they don't like me at one point, but I try to remember the following 5 minutes when they hug and kiss me. They are just testing out their world and trying to figure it all out. I, too, though am not looking forward to the teenage years. Hope you have a better day!

That Chick Over There said...

Aww...I'm sorry Amy. Don't let it get you down.

bichonpawz said...

The middle school years almost killed me. The high schools years...did. Keep a level head and you will be fine!!

Pamela said...

sounds more like "Independence Day" instead of Memorial day for Ashley. Probably just normal kid growing pains.