Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with 4yearold

My 3 1/2 year old is trying to put me in an early grave.

missuswayne — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:43:20 -0800

Help me deal with my defiant and difficult almost-4-year old. I know that defiant and difficult behavior is standard for the 3 1/2 year old set, but honestly it's wearing me (and my husband) down. DS turns 4 in July, and the last 6 to 9 months have been quite challenging. Insanely picky eating, refusal to cooperate in normal everyday stuff like brushing teeth and getting dressed, the torturous routine of going to nursery school two mornings a week - anything and everything is a battle. There's lots of random asserting of independence (coupled with random helplessness - "I can't do it, do it for me!").

On top of this, DD is one year old, and although DS clearly adores her, he's also a) jealous of her and b) completely opposed to sharing with her. 100% normal sibling rivalry.

MeFites, please share your best methods for coping with and managing the run-of-the-mill mayhem associated with raising a preschooler!

How to get a hairbrush to work in a kid's hair

cashman — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:42:57 -0800

How to brush a 4-year-old's hair who hates it? Asking for friends who have a 4-year-old daughter.

They're having trouble getting the 4-year-old to not go insane every morning when it's hair brushing time. The little girl hates it.

Parents - Native American and Hungarian. The daughter has shoulder length, very thick hair. When she wakes up, it's kind of an afro - sticking straight up and out. They use detangling shampoo and lots of conditioner, but worry about how dry the little girl's hair seems to get. Oil treatments did not work.

When it's time to get her hair brushed in the morning, the little girl thinks up any reason to avoid it.

They are looking for help - tips on strategies to try (games, tricks, anything), products to try (haircare gels/liquids or combs/brushes), anything. What do you suggest, hive mind?

Birthday present for a 4 year old boy?

meerkatty — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:09:14 -0800

What to get a 4 year old boy for his birthday? I know nothing about 4 year olds or boys... I have been buying the little guy beautiful books for past birthdays, but he's now at the age where he wants to rip open the present and actually play with it. (Plus this is the first year I'm actually going to be attending the festivities - I want it to go over well.) He's very into castles and knights and dragons, but someone else has already bought him the Playmobil castle set, and I'm guessing that this will be a common theme for his gifts. What should I buy him? Anyone know any cool gifts for 4 year old boys right now? Trucks? Magic sets? I'm looking to spend up to $100.