I am so sorry you are going through this. My first thought was little "jobs" too. Maybe feeling needed and like "mommy's great big helper" would help him.

My oldest was exactly like that at that age. I can't tell you how many times I called my mom about in tears and she was laughing because the things he was doing were so unreal. It was like living with a monkey! I have good news, he grew out of it. I know yours will too, but I also know how much stress you are under and how you don't need any extra drama in your life. We had to do "time outs" with my oldest and that wasn't easy either. I literally had to hold him in a chair until the timer went off. He would kick and scream and it sounded like I was trying to kill him. But, I did it each and every time he was naughty and it finally sunk in and he would finally sit in that stinkin' time out chair. You aren't alone. You have my sympathy, hugs and many, many prayers that he gets over this phase sooner than later.

Was he like this before the baby was born?

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

He did not start this behavior until I went into the hospital when my water broke at 30 weeks with Tommy. He had to stay with friends and my MIL for the 3 weeks I was in the hospital myself, then I was at the hospital all the time to be with Tommy. We finally became a "family" three months later, when Tommy came home in December (my water broke Sept 9th and he came home Dec 13).

I know all of this has got to be hard on him and he is acting out. I am trying so hard to make time for JUST him. Tonight, I ended going to the grocery store because he had literally ruined the last of the food! I decided to take him in alone with me, hoping we could spend some Mommy time together. He is still acting out tonight. It's hard to give him positive attention when he is making me so mad!!!

I am glad to hear so many people telling me he will outgrow this! I was starting to think I was raising a little psychopath!

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There are more than 40 different types of congenital heart defects. Little is known about the cause of most of them. There is no known prevention or cure for any of them.
My Blog:Musings of a Heart Family

I was thinking attention as well. You have so much on your plate already. maybe try and get 10 minutes of just him time.

okay, off track, I just heard that Oscar de la Hoya is going to be on Carson Daly. He is on now here in MN.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

OOOOH, I just saw the last two seconds of the interview! At least I didn't miss him!

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There are more than 40 different types of congenital heart defects. Little is known about the cause of most of them. There is no known prevention or cure for any of them.
My Blog:Musings of a Heart Family

I MISSED HIM

I had to go and do another batch of salsa.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

I'm sorry he is acting out like that- what a mess! I'd have gone ballsitic had one of my kids smeared hamburger meat everywhere. Gross!! If he does it again I'll bring my dog over- she'd love to help clean a mess like that up.

Hang in there!! hugs

I am so sorry to hear your frustration! 2 year old nephew (I watch him full time) manages to do some of the same. I am starting to think it is normal boy stuff. Some days are harder than others, but, you are not alone. I will pray for strength for you!

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Maggie - Nanny to Nephew - Mom to Caitlyn Marie!!

Oh Sweetie , I was thinking about you this Morning -
When my 3 Year old threw the big Dish of cats Food ( Dry) Down the basement Stairs !

I was going to Post To this last night but I never made it back to the computer.

I am usually the First one to Complain about my Kids and Vent and whine on Forums like this
When Others see the situation as it is , Not As you , yourself sees it, It really Can Be Put into Perspective.

One thing Another Poster Said in this Thread - Really Helped me when I heard these words -
They were along the lines of
" Kids Don't Know that we Need to Do Stuff , To them We choose to do it"

That Kind of sums alot up - Why My Kids And Your 4 year old may be acting out -
Think of it from their Perspective - " Mommy is always holding the baby ( or whatever else) - But Why Can't she Just play with me?"

But That is where I Have No advice -
Cause
1) Like you Said - I agree with this!! Also Hard when the only free time you had with them - You are now Spending Cleaning up Raw meat or Cat food In every corner of your Basement

I know so Well it is Hard -
Its like a Double end short sometimes.
What I Do try to Do For my kids is Find someone somewhere somehow who can Give them Undivided attention.
This seems to help , when I can't Be their Only one at the moment.

Is there any Head start Programs Yours can get into ??


Anything with Church ?

Maybe a preteen /mothers Helper Type Girl - who Could Come Entertain him for even an Hour??
I pay the 11 Year old Girl up the street - 2.00 To Play with and " Watch "Taylor for an hour at a time.

Not Sure how old your other kids are -
But I can Pay my 9 Year old in Cookies or candy to Pull Ryan around the Block a few times in his wagon.That gives me about 45 Mins To Clean up a Mess or I can Spend that time with Taylor Reading to her or Just Chilling.
Its all about Your Own Sanity too.I have found out that this saying - it is true!
"If momma aint' happy , Aint Nobody happy"