Four year old dd "hates rules"

[chattyprincess]

Dd is coming off a series of oral steriods for breathing problems and is on a set of nebulizer steroids for the next few weeks. So she is having a really hard time with self control etc...which I totally get and understand yaddy yaddy yadda. We have been extra gentle and understanding but the reality of the situation is that this behavior goes hand in hand with the steroids.

The past week has been screaming fits of "I HATE YOUR RULES" "I WANT ONLY MY RULES" and on and on about how her room her rules, her toys her rules, etc. I think she is feeling super out of control (the rules have not changed nor have our enforcing behavior...but the steriods have changed).  I am now a mean mom every time I say anything about anything and this loveliness is accompined by hourly meltdowns and screaming fits (this part is competely related to the steroids...and has only been a factor in the last week).

To say the least we are exhausted mentally from the constant struggle of patience and understanding and the reality of just wanting to put her in a rubber room until the steroids wear off......

So besides the emotinal/physical fits that are competely related to things beyond my control. Are there any suggestions for helping her feel less helpless? Any way to help her feel more in control when she is so out of control (which we can't control until she is off the meds in a few weeks)???

[sunnygir1]

That must be so hard!  I have been through a month of sick kids recently, and dd has been more difficult, whether she's the sick one or her little brother.  It's hard to be nice when it goes on for so long, even if you know they have a good reason.

I don't know that my dd (almost 4) is feeling less in control of her life this month than last, but I, too, have been hearing a lot of things like, "I hate cleaning up," "I hate school (daycare)," "Don't tell me that!" and the like.  I think to some extent it's just an age thing.  They are learning about asserting themselves.

I don't have any advice, in fact, I'll be lurking here for some ideas.  Hang in there!

[KLM99]

I think we're headed down this road with my now 3.5yo who is quite strong-willed, so I will be watching this thread too.  Can you find ways to give her more control?  Give her a task or two that is HERS, like emptying the trash cans or something (that sounds lame...maybe others have better ideas about what can be hers)?  Let her redecorate her room?  I'll be returning to this thread - hope others have ideas!