How do you deal with an over sensitive child (4 years old)?
I agree with the last person’s answer – let him choose everything! I started giving choices to my children when they were 1 year of age – carrots or peas?, cheese or milk?, etc. This way they never felt a loss of control – they always knew they had a choice and really, it didn’t ever make a difference to me what the choice was. Of course, when I needed to be stern, I always said, “you don’t have a choice, period”. I might also suggest family counseling. Often a child who has witnessed something traumatic, or been abused in some way is looking for something to embrace, such as routine. If there is alcoholism in the family or any other kind of activity that might be troubling to a child, he may be searching for something to allow him to control his environment, since he has no control otherwise (my dad is OCD due to something like this – in his case, his stepfather used to beat his mom). Good luck!!
He is motivated to want things in order. He is intelligent for his age He is very strong minded You need to build a detailed picture up of his lifes influences over the past 4 years. Broken home, loss of a close family member, continuous child minders / lack of stability and routine, lack of attention – could be that he has been left to his own devices too much / he could have a mild form of autism. You obviously have enough concern to ask for help only I don’t think the people on here are professional enough and know enough detail to be able to give you the help/ support / reassurance you need. Go and see a professional child/family psychologist that is the best place to gain advice, not here.
It does soubd liek the beginning stages of OCD or another unhderlying issue. But I read that you should keep him on a routine, if he has OCD that is something you DO NOT want to do, becuase than routines wil be a part of his life and it will only make him worse, not better. The whole point is trying to get him to understand that not EVERYTHING needs to be a routine. It just sounds like a mixture of OCD and emotions. Just start by having him change up the routines so maybe he can feel like he has some control. For bed, instead of putting on certain pajama’s have him choose of different pair. Little things like that can help. But getting him into a routine is the worst thing you can do becuase it will set him in his ways and maybe now it won’t matetr but when hes 25 it will control his life. Get a 2nd opinion an good luck.
As a mother of a 5 year old son like this… your son is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)!!! There is no doubt about it. I read what you wrote, & my it sounded like you were writing about my son. Keeping routine is very important. But on the other hand keeping consistent punishment is also important. My best advise to you on how to deal with him is keep his routine, but when you say NO, make it stick! If not then time out!!! I have to put my son in his room physically because he wont budge & has a melt down! Also talk to your pediatrician about this. If there is a label on this (most parents hate or will disagree) when it comes to school.. they will attempt to help his routine stay consistent for him. Dealing with children like this is sometimes challenging. I know. But as he gets a little older it gets a little easier & better. I know that my son is the most loving of all children in the world. That makes some of the rough days seem so much less important. Dont worry it will work o
RElax. Do you know what, i have a four year old and you have exactly described him. Its just part of their growing up dont worry about it. It is hard at times when you are trying to explain why things are the way they are, keep tellling him and he will soon understand. I am going through this with my son, and after explaining to him about 4-5 times (on seperate occasions) he totally understands and is making progress.
