So my 4 year old has entered this phase of talking back and not doing as she was told. Before, she was eager to please me and would do everything she knew she was supposed to do. Now I am met with constant defiance. Getting her to do her chores or take a bath is a pain. She will spend an hour in the bathroom if you let her. Oftentimes doing nothing but fooling around.
I spank my kids. Not all the time. I know what kind of punishment to mete out and when. But almost every day this past week she has gotten a spanking. This last dose she received last night seemed to straighten her out somewhat because this morning she was up and did all her morning things. I also take away valued items such as her princess costumes. She has a reward chart and when she gets all her stickers for the week she gets her things back.
It is a tough pill to swallow but I see a lot of myself in her. I was (and probably still am) very defiant and love having my own way. My mother is enjoying this return of karma in the form of a grandchild with spunk and an attitude to match. Me on the other hand, I am pulling my hair out trying to keep her on the straight and narrow.
