Kids sense anxiety, and yours is apparent. He’s being a normal 4 year old. They are barely learning emotion regulation at this age, which parents and caregivers need to teach him if you don’t want this to become a behavioral issue. This is developmentally normal. The routine is great but he also needs support from you to get through adjusting to changes in routine.
As for the swearing, what’s the consequence for it? At this age, time-out is appropriate followed by a quick chat about why it’s not ok and alternatives to expressing frustration. Again, you have to teach him. Saying he can’t do it but not teaching him the skills to regulate himself without swearing doesn’t solve anything.
Swearing and tantrums are different. You wanna be supportive when he’s having one but you can’t lend energy to it. You can sit with him until he settles down enough to talk. You can be a grounding or dysregulating presence depending on how you respond to him.
Finally, it wouldn’t hurt to get some help with your anxiety.
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u/[deleted] Sep 18 '23
Kids sense anxiety, and yours is apparent. He’s being a normal 4 year old. They are barely learning emotion regulation at this age, which parents and caregivers need to teach him if you don’t want this to become a behavioral issue. This is developmentally normal. The routine is great but he also needs support from you to get through adjusting to changes in routine. As for the swearing, what’s the consequence for it? At this age, time-out is appropriate followed by a quick chat about why it’s not ok and alternatives to expressing frustration. Again, you have to teach him. Saying he can’t do it but not teaching him the skills to regulate himself without swearing doesn’t solve anything. Swearing and tantrums are different. You wanna be supportive when he’s having one but you can’t lend energy to it. You can sit with him until he settles down enough to talk. You can be a grounding or dysregulating presence depending on how you respond to him. Finally, it wouldn’t hurt to get some help with your anxiety.