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  perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« on: May 08, 2007, 12:05:12 PM » by 4lilkeepers
I've read, I've tried consistent training etc.... I know every child has their own personality traits, but she's really getting to us! Roll Eyes Huh  She is rarely ever in a good mood and when she's in a semi- good one, its almost like she tries to not let it show?  Any suggestions?

We're going on vacation in two weeks and I almost dread it. I refuse to cater to her just to keep the peace becasue everyone will still be miserable and it will do her no good.

4lilkeepers
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2007, 12:39:24 PM » by his.silly.wife
Is she getting enough sleep?  I have this problem with my 6 year old.  If she doesn't have a nap she is tired and grouchy and then it runs into the next day.  I know, she's 6, but she has always need just a little more sleep than the others.  Her nap may only be 30 minutes, but it makes a huge difference.  I've seen this in other families, too.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2007, 12:45:51 PM » by mommie
well if VERY consistent traingin and prayer hasn't helped that a tough one...how long have you been consistent for? has she been allowed to rule the world for 3 years and just 2 months ago been dethroned? Smiley it may take llonger than you are hoping if that is the case! Smiley (i'm not saying that is what yoiu have done, just wondering...sometimes we as parents have unrealistic expectations.. traing is hard work...i know som folks would disagree but plain and soimple for most of us it is...things dont change over night...they have very strong lower natures that nneed to be renewed!) do you do spankings and correction and prayer after (they need to be restored to fellowshio and acknowledge thir sin and ask for the lords help to do whats right) and maybe even discussion and scripture memory for particular prob;ems? what about health issues like what does she eat my son turns into a bag of tears if he gets lots of fruit with no fiber/carb/something solid in the morning...its only temporary though and piece of wheat bread clears it right up...
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2007, 12:51:59 PM » by 4lilkeepers
we have been consistent in our discipline since she was a year and a half and have put into practice many of the Pearls suggestions.  She gets plenty of rest and I try to see to it that she gets plenty of fresh fruit. She doesn't eat alot of veggies though.  I am also trying to eliminate sugar, but it's hard.

thanks
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2007, 01:02:44 PM » by KristenA

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4lilkeepers,
This article came to mind.

Love is Like God

Quote
By: Beka Joy (Pearl) Anast

The secret to Michael Pearl's success is not in training...


Dear Pearls,

My children are obedient, intelligent, and hard-working. But somewhere I’ve failed and it’s becoming obvious. My children hate each other. There is never a kind word spoken between them, they hate to work together, fight with an intense dislike, and seem consumed with looking out for themselves alone. My son dominates to the point of being a bully and tyrant, and my daughter uses rejection and solitude. My one-time easy going, happy baby is following in their footsteps. We have clear boundaries of ownership and rights, but the children NEVER play together or share. They don’t even speak to each other. Why? I am always cheerful. I train. My life is centered around meeting their emotional and physical needs, training them to obey, etc... I honor and obey my husband, just as the Bible teaches. My husband works away from home, but he’s a good man, and treats the children well. I can tell he doesn’t really like them, and I don’t blame him - what’s to like? What have I done wrong? How can I make my family love each other?

Elizabeth

 

John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

What follows might seem condemning to someone who has made every effort to be a good person, and it is evident that you have. Just swallow hard, say under your breath, “I don’t care, I want Jesus,” and let me tell you about the sweetest thing in all of life.

Many people read To Train Up a Child and assume that it is Mike Pearl’s secret to raising good kids. They are wrong. My Dad’s training principles are the reason we are well trained; just like your children are well trained. But training is not the reason we are good. Training is not the reason we love each other. The secret to Mike Pearl’s real success as a parent is found in his Roman’s series, and other audio Bible teachings. Mike Pearl managed to convey to us (his children) his true love, his hope and joy, his faith and understanding of Jesus Christ. It was not training that birthed my spirit into new life and new living—it was knowing Jesus Christ.

It is clear to me that you are good people; that you train, and live circumspectly. There is but one last step to take before you will find yourself on the road to success as a parent. Religion may look like that final step; but it couldn’t be further from it.

Those who do not know God recognize those who do by their love for each other. A head covering, a Bible under the arm, habitual politeness, and a whole string of kids mean nothing but “we are religious.” Those things are not bad; but they are not signs of knowing Jesus. Love is.

Children who walk hand in hand, laughing and interacting with each other with absolute enjoyment are a testimony to the Lost that God is in the house. A husband and wife engaged in enthusiastic, open-faced conversation will provoke longing and curiosity in those who do not know God. A whole-hearted smile at an absolute stranger will cause that stranger to wish he knew you, and hope you will talk to him a little longer.

Your children are perceptive. Their spirits know the difference between knowing about God, and really knowing God. You say they hate each other. Why? He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love.

LOVE. Love is like God.

How do you teach love? I’m sure there are some readers that truly do know Jesus Christ in a very personal way, but because of past circumstances and old habits, must learn the new way and practice the motions their hearts are willing to learn. I will list some practical ideas, but before you try them PLEASE listen to the free Roman’s audio download on the www.nogreaterjoy.org site. A clear picture of the person of Jesus will infuse life in the following suggestions.

1) There is an understanding in our home that being a good human being is about meeting other people’s needs. Every action is done to benefit someone else. The house is cleaned so Mama won’t have to work as hard. The back yard is cleaned so Daddy will be glad. Schoolwork projects are done to be folded up and mailed to various grandmothers as a gift. Conversations at the park are to cheer up sad people and show them that God loves them. Playing together is for the other person’s enjoyment. Joe is sent outside to play with Rysha and “be gentle” so she won’t get hurt. Rysha is sent out to play with Joe and “be tough” so she will be fun for Joe to play with. Both of them play with Hannah so she will “learn how to be a kid.” They go to Granny and Grandad’s house to “be thankful, obedient, and happy” so they will be a joy and pride to their grandparents. And amazingly, this world-view is taken to heart with enthusiasm.

Our own goodness is not the focus. The children do not think about whether or not they are being good. Their focus is on being successful at benefitting another human being. Joe helped Rysha put her sandles on; he’s a good brother. Rysha helped Mom set the table; she’s a good helper. Goodness (Godlikeness) is recognized as active love toward another. Just performing duties correctly is not a form of goodness. Only selfless acts of love define the quality of a human being.

2) Serving. If I had a child that was unloving, I would organize every activity in that child’s life to be about serving for several days, until the child performed the “duties of love” successfully. If he rudely dominated conversation, then for several days the game would be to allow/encourage his sister to converse better. If the sister was petulant and manipulative about it, she would have to do something for her brother (bring him a graham cracker, or...) All activities of the day would include serving each other. Sister would serve brother lunch, and vice versa. Brother would make sister’s bed; sister would take off brother’s shoes... etc... For as long as it took, I would tangle their worlds up until automatically serving the other would come without thought. And you should play the game with Daddy. Serve him in an exaggerated way with the children watching. And rather than serving them, make sure they serve each other. When you brag about your kids, brag about what they did for each other, or for you, not what they accomplished alone.

3) Positive attention comes when they are being peaceable and kind, not the opposite. When Joe is talking too much or making too much noise, my communication with him is brief, but not unkind. I simply say, “go outside and water the garden.” The command is not negotiable. I may go out and call him back in 10 minutes later. When he comes back in, he’s more careful to maintain the peace. When Rysha is whiney, I say, “Go get me some...” If she is happy when she comes back, I talk to her a minute and smile at her. If she’s still whining, I give her a light spanking and send her on another errand. The errand serves to take her attention off of herself. Most of the time the errand is sufficient. Giving the selfish child a selfless errand is the opposite reward his flesh was looking for. Isolation and even a spanking does not work on selfishness quite as well, because the focus has not changed. I have found that my children return from their errands with a pleased sense of self-worth and thankfulness. They are not old enough to understand what just happened to their little souls, but their spirits feel the relief of having their flesh denied.

4) Thankfulness. I believe it is important for your children to see your gratefulness to God. They should hear praise and thanksgiving coming out of your mouth continually throughout the day. Thanking God for the weather, the scenery, the groceries, the children, the husband, the neighbors, etc... They need to hear you thanking their father for the work he does, the income he brings home, and his presence in the living room every evening. They need to feel like they are blessed. They will know it by your thankfulness.

And if you don’t know Jesus; find Him. Call out for God’s wonderful salvation. I guarantee, you will find Him sufficient.
Rebekah Joy Anast

 

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

1John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another

1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2007, 01:29:22 PM » by petrimama
Thank you.  I needed that for my own spirit today.  And I find that when my thoughts are self-centered, my children follow suit oh so quickly.  That was a  beautiful and well-made point.           ~L
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2007, 01:40:11 PM » by 4lilkeepers
Yes, thank you. I needed to hear this.  My children needed to hear some of this as well. We just had an episode and that spoke directly to it. 

Thank you again.  i'm printing this out.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2007, 02:09:42 PM » by AgainstTheGrain
Could you post the link at NoGreaterJoy for this? I tried to find it and couldn't Undecided and would like to send it to a friend.
Great thoughts and reminders in that one Wink
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Vanessa in Iowa
Mom to 5 boys and 1 baby girl ages Newborn to 12

  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2007, 02:16:16 PM » by KristenA

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I can only  provide this:

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=86&tx_ttnews[swords]=Galatians%205%3A13&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=220&tx_ttnews[backPid]=118&cHash=695328669f

Or this one
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=86&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=220
(this one usually works for emails)

You will have to copy (not click on) the entire above link and put it into your browser.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2007, 12:03:38 AM » by AgainstTheGrain
Thanks! Wink Cheesy Grin
It worked Great!!
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Vanessa in Iowa
Mom to 5 boys and 1 baby girl ages Newborn to 12

  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2007, 08:26:41 AM » by Mrs. Davis
We have eleven children and yes, we have had a couple like this.  We have raised all of our children pretty much the same way, so I am thinking it is something with their personality.  But, for our family at least, I see wonderful things when you stick to your guns. 

A couple of ours have been very "moody" between the age of 2 and 5 or so.  Enough to drive us nuts.  Right now we have a four year old son who is very moody.  We just don't listen to it.  If he wants to cry and pout and carry on, he is sent to his room and shuts the door.  He is not to come out until he is in a better mood.  Just because he wants to wallow doesn't mean we all have to come along! 

We have other children who have done this same thing.  Eventually they have come out of it and turn into wonderful people.  I would say the children that we had the hardest time with when they were little ended up being the most wise and self-disciplined.  I think it is because they are disciplined SO much when they are small and it imparts wisdom.  Some of the children we have that were pretty easy go through a little harder time later, it seems to me at least.  I would rather do the disciplining when they are little, that's for sure.

Oh, but whatever you do, don't let it slide!  You must keep up with the discipline even though you are tired.  hang in there!  Sometime, if I have time, I can give you some examples of our children.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2007, 08:50:23 AM » by kmkmom
I thought i must be a "perfect mother" when my 1st baby was born.  She was so easy, always happy... it was perfect.  I was quickly humbled by baby #2.  She never seemed happy.  She was diagnosed with acid reflux as a baby- so that was part of it, but there is still something.  She is just super sensitive, to everything.  Fabric, hairbrushes, waistbands, socks, food texture.  She's even emotionally hypersensitive.  Have you ever looked into Sensory Integration Dysfunction?  There is a book called "the Out of Sync Child" by Carol Kranowitz that was helpful for me.  It helped me understand that she just feels things differently than I do.  She also gives suggestions on how to help your child settle themselves, NOT medication, things like kneading dough in a plastic bag, skin brushing, etc.   I'm not saying your child has this, I'm not even convinced my child has this but I do feel I gained something from learning about it.
I will say a prayer for you to have a peaceful vacation.  Smiley

Susan

PS  She now seven-- still sensitive Roll Eyes

« Last Edit: May 10, 2007, 08:57:36 AM by kmkmom »
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2007, 09:14:15 AM » by his.silly.wife
She is just super sensitive, to everything.  Fabric, hairbrushes, waistbands, socks, food texture.  She's even emotionally hypersensitive.

I have a child that is close to this description.  For her, it seems to be a nutritional.  About two and half years ago, we started her on MannaBears from Mannatech.  It seemed to make all the difference in the world.  She became less emotionally fragile, and her skin sensitivities began to clear up.

So to tie this into the thread topic, is there possibly a nutritional aspect to your daughters grumpiness.  We eat fairly healthy, but my daughter just seemed to need a little extra boost.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #13 on: June 11, 2007, 11:47:21 PM » by momof4
Our 8 year old son is very sensitive and moody. There are times I could pull my hair out. Is favorite saying is "This is the worst day ever". He says this if he gets hurt, has to redo his homework, can't go where he wanted to go, etc...It drives me crazy.

 He doesn't get along well with his siblings, they don't want much to do with him and at times, I don't blame them. I try to keep the peace between them but it doesn't work.

 He has now started a "stomping stage".  Where he stomps around the house when he doesn't get his way.  I have read and tried the To Train Up A Child routine. My problem is I am not consistent. It just gets to be to much some days. Sad thing is is the fact that his 2 year old brother is just as bad.  He cries a lot and has since birth. Only likes our oldest son who will be 12 and wants nothing to do with daddy. Though daddy works a lot and is usually tinkering around the garage when he gets home so he doesn't see a whole lot of him.

Anyone have any other suggestions.  The post about the Pearl/Anast family was wonderful and a blessing to me....I am going to read it again!

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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2007, 09:20:56 AM » by kcb
Have you considered there may be a link to the child's intestinal health?  An overgrowth of fungus in the gut is very common and can cause all kinds of behavioral problems from grumpiness to aggression.  It's easy to fix:  a good probiotic 3x per day (Primadophilus, from Nature's Way).  Within a week you should see some improvements, if this is the cause.  Keep going for 3 months and add an antifungal like grapefruit seed extract and reduce sugar.  Dianne Craft's web site has more information on this -- see diannecraft.com/articles and look for Biology of Behavior.  I assume you are already incorporating good child training, of course.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2007, 01:00:19 PM » by momof4
Have you considered there may be a link to the child's intestinal health?  An overgrowth of fungus in the gut is very common and can cause all kinds of behavioral problems from grumpiness to aggression.  It's easy to fix:  a good probiotic 3x per day (Primadophilus, from Nature's Way).  Within a week you should see some improvements, if this is the cause.  Keep going for 3 months and add an antifungal like grapefruit seed extract and reduce sugar.  Dianne Craft's web site has more information on this -- see diannecraft.com/articles and look for Biology of Behavior.  I assume you are already incorporating good child training, of course.

Wow! Thanks for the info.  I had forgotten all about Primadophilius. I used to use it on our daughter when she kept ear infections but it has been several years.  This is definetly worth a try!  I am going to go pick up some up today Smiley

THANKS!
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #16 on: September 21, 2007, 02:04:00 PM » by MamaJ
I'm very glad I came across this!  My two and a half year old is very, very moody.  She asks for things politely, but always with a whiny voice.  The thing that was really getting to me was that her little sister is picking up on it now.  I have a question though.  I send Mercy to her room if she's going to insist on being in a bad mood.  However, she usually doesn't want to, and it turns into a big fight.  Do I take care of disciplining her for disobedience, and then continue with the original intent of letting her mope in her room?  Or am I just magnifying the problems by doing so?

Thanks,

Mama J.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #17 on: September 21, 2007, 02:25:10 PM » by *MommaJo*
....  However, she usually doesn't want to, and it turns into a big fight.  Do I take care of disciplining her for disobedience, and then continue with the original intent of letting her mope in her room?  Or am I just magnifying the problems by doing so?

Thanks,

Mama J.

I suffer from this, too.  My 3 1/2 yob is a big sasser/backtalker.  I'm fearful that if it continues I'll never see a happy spirit in the boy!  I usually would thump his mouth for sassing.  (You know, thump/flick, with my finger)  He hates it so much that then there is a drop to the floor fit or he'll sass even louder.  So THEN I have 2 issues to deal with.  Shame on me, but I've been known to ignore the sassing so I don't have to deal with the rest! 


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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #18 on: September 21, 2007, 10:25:26 PM » by mykidsmom
....  However, she usually doesn't want to, and it turns into a big fight.  Do I take care of disciplining her for disobedience, and then continue with the original intent of letting her mope in her room?  Or am I just magnifying the problems by doing so?

Thanks,

Mama J.

I suffer from this, too.  My 3 1/2 yob is a big sasser/backtalker.  I'm fearful that if it continues I'll never see a happy spirit in the boy!  I usually would thump his mouth for sassing.  (You know, thump/flick, with my finger)  He hates it so much that then there is a drop to the floor fit or he'll sass even louder.  So THEN I have 2 issues to deal with.  Shame on me, but I've been known to ignore the sassing so I don't have to deal with the rest! 




I highly recommend testing for food allergies.  Especially the worst offenders; eggs, dairy, wheat, gluten.  My son was like that off and on for no reason (wasn't all the time because we dealt with it as a discipline problem).  When we pulled the stuff from his diet he was allergic to we don't even have trouble off and on anymore. 

The other thing to check for with quick tempers (and tears in a girl) is hypoglycemia.  I can bank on it that if my oldest drops to tears and is totally unreasonable that her blood sugar is low.  I don't even talk to her until I have her seated and she's eating a high protein snack.  Within 5 minutes she's totally fine and apologizing for her behavior. 

So, definately check diet.

patti
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For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.

  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #19 on: September 22, 2007, 09:51:20 AM » by *MommaJo*
Wow, patti.  Great advice.  Makes sense, because often ds is so pleasant.  Then he'll just have a mood swing.  Maybe it's something he's eaten.


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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #20 on: September 22, 2007, 03:40:01 PM » by Leah IL
I had to comment on this because I have been dealing with the same with my 4 year old.  My instinct had been to step up the training, start being more consistent with the discipline end of it.  But it wasn't doing the job.  He was obedient, but he was not happy.  He was always in a bad mood, pouty, whiny, etc.

What I've been doing the past couple of weeks is allowing him to get up early before everyone else and spend about a half hour alone with just me.  It is amazing the difference this has made in him.  For those 30 minutes he gets all my attention, even though all we are doing is unloading the dishwasher together or folding some laundry.  Sometimes we'll have a cup of tea together, too, if there's no work to be done.  He is much more loving and eager to do what I ask of him during the day now.  I think he was just getting lost in the shuffle of our busy days.  He is so affectionate toward me now, and he talks about our morning together all day long ("Mommy, remember today I folded these towels?").

I cherish my time alone in the early mornings, so sharing them with a 4 year old was not the easiest thing for me to do, but now that I see the changes in him it is SO worth it!!
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Leah
Married to Ken 14 years, mom to Kenny (13), Kyle and Kaitlyn (11), Kevin (5) and Megan and Melissa (1 1/2)



My Intro: http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1573.msg838.html#msg838

  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #21 on: September 22, 2007, 07:11:14 PM » by *MommaJo*
Great idea Leah! 
I could see this being the reason for grumpiness in my, too.

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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #22 on: September 24, 2007, 07:17:24 AM » by MamaJ
I find this very difficult to do, because my kids both get up at the same time at around 6:30 am.  It's near impossible to wake one up without waking the other.  I can see how it would benefit the older one, but at the same time, when my younger one has her morning nap, the older one and I have one-on-one time for an hour.  I am taking her to an allergist on October first, so I hope that'll reveal some things.  I had changed her milk earlier when we had a lot of sleep problems with her, and that made a big difference, but perhaps I need to take her off milk altogether.  I think also that I do need to step up a bit with the discipline.  I do find sometimes it's easier to let things slide then to battle with her all the time.  I guess the one thing I've put off also is a lot prayer. 

Mama J.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2008, 05:29:42 PM » by smilejesusluvsu
I have a 3year old daughter who is also so grumpy.
Usually she will wake up cranky, if she has a hard time doing something she begans crying/sreaming. If she is being punished it seems like everyone in the neighborhood can hear. Oh and if she falls or hits herself.... that is usually really loud as well.
It seems like a good diet matters a lot to her too. If she doesn't get something in her mouth right away after waking up her mood is really bad.
She could be really sweet and laughing, those are the moments I just hold my breath and wish they could last a bit longer Smiley
Another thing is that she will behave ALOT better if I let her do my house work. Let her fry those eggs, pour that laundry detergent, or wash the windows (just a wet paper towel usually works)
And of cource enough sleep. If she doesn't nap during the day at the approximately the same time, she will be soooo grouchy.
Also I noticed that we drank all of our Cod Liver Oil.....
maybe that is why she was too emotional about everything lately Huh.
I just bought some today so we'll see if it will make a difference

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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #24 on: January 17, 2008, 04:28:22 PM » by MamaJ
It's been a while since I've posted in this thread.  We had our daughter to the allergist and ALL the allergens came back negative except dust, which is not unusual.  I've been slowly redoing our diet to include more fresh foods, as many as we can get, and cutting out sweets altogether, and processed foods as much as we can afford.  Mercy will be 3 in March.  She can be such a sweet little girl, happy, laughing, even encouraging her younger sister to laugh along.  But then she does an about-face and turns into a whining, grumpy, sassy brat, and it lasts for days on end.  I suspect she's not getting enough sleep.  It's a battle to get her to sleep at any time.  She does not nap anymore during the day, and she doesn't fall asleep until an hour or two after we put her to bed at night.


Another thing is that when she legitimately hurts herself, she carries on with the tears for 10 minutes or more.  I don't take no for an answer when I send her to her room and she talks back.  I physically pick her up, swat her for sassing, put her in the bedroom and close the door, telling her she can come down when she's happy.  She generally emerges after about five minutes, and she is happy.  She doesn't stay happy, though, and she goes back up as soon as her mood change for the worst.  I don't remember, but I think I was like this as a child as well.  Perhaps it is part personality, but as far as I'm concerned, she doesn't have to make the whole family miserable because she refuses to be happy.

She will be happy and start laughing, and then suddenly remember that she was supposed to be in a bad mood and change her laughing to whining or moaning.  I take her upstairs for this too.  I never, never would have thought one child could be soooo much work!  I'm doing what I feel is the best, and the most important thing...praying about it.  I pray on my own, and I pray with my husband.  She's a very strong-willed child, so it may take a long, long time for her to break this negative swing of things.

Mama J.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #25 on: January 21, 2008, 01:07:07 PM » by kcb
Acidophilus and cod liver oil will almost certainly improve the moods that you have described.  The Acidophilus should be a good quality refrigerated brand.  My 5yo ds was cranky, touchy, moody, and cried easily.  After applying acidophilus and CLO, he brightened right up within a few days!  We continue the supplements and haven't had bad moods for almost a year!
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #26 on: January 30, 2008, 10:20:37 PM » by ArmyWife
A book I'd recommend for sleep is called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", by Dr. Mark Weissbluth, I think.  I bought a copy at Target.  This book greatly helped me, and is still helping, as it starts with newborns and cover even up to teen years.  When we realized that our then 8 mo dd just wasn't getting enough sleep, and started putting her to bed a couple hours earlier, she was so much more pleasant and it completely eliminated her whole fussy time in the evening.  She just needed to be in bed!  And having learned some things about sleep and read some in that book, my 2nd dd has been much better rested.  Sleep makes a big difference in my girls and their personality/ability to handle things, esp. if there's been too little sleep over a couple of days.
BTW, is the acidophilus from beeyoutiful ok, even though it doesn't require refrigeration? 
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #27 on: February 02, 2008, 09:17:57 AM » by kcb
A book I'd recommend for sleep is called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", by Dr. Mark Weissbluth, I think.  I bought a copy at Target.  This book greatly helped me, and is still helping, as it starts with newborns and cover even up to teen years. 

BTW, is the acidophilus from beeyoutiful ok, even though it doesn't require refrigeration? 

That book really is good!

I'm not sure about Beeyoutiful's acidophilus.  I just know that people have had less success with non-refrigerated brands.  I recommend using a refrigerated brand like Solaray or Nature's Way, and see what it does.  Later, you could try Beeyoutiful's and see if you get the same effects.
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #28 on: April 28, 2009, 04:54:12 PM » by geraldine
I just found this topic and wanted to second the recommendation for fish oils. My brother has a 6 year old daughter that was perpetually grumpy, and seemed depressed. They started giving her fish oils, and she has become such a happy girl. It took about 2 weeks of regularly giving her the oil.
Geraldine
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  Re: perpetually grumpy 4 year old...
« Reply #29 on: June 20, 2009, 10:59:44 PM » by alexsa
I KNO W my nephew would cry easily whenever he got hungry.  If you waited to long to feed him, he would be so sad and cry very easily. once he ate he was fine.
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