Terrible Twos Times Two?

Our pediatrician is a master at prepping parents for the year ahead. So after hearing what he had to say about 4-year-olds, I am bracing myself.

Kids this age are independent, willful, determined and dogged. All of these would be qualities I’d prize highly … if they weren’t already being employed in getting a cupcake for breakfast or two more games on the Wii or an extension on bedtime.The doctor’s advice was to cut my losses when the battle is over something small, like an animal cracker before supper. But throwing the remote at his older brother’s head? That’s gonna be worth the fight.

The older brother is part of the problem. Not because he’s done anything wrong. It’s just a simple birth-order thing. When you’re striving for independence and there’s always someone ahead of you, well, I can see how it would kind of stink. (Being a first-born, I found it helpful to turn the PBS Kids Web site “It’s My Life” to get a kid’s perspective on being the youngest.) The youngest tends to avoid taking the same path his older sibling(s) walked, and he’ll often resort to comedy antics to get himself noticed – which is probably why my 4-year-old already shows way more of a sense of humor than his 7-year-old brother. The downside is that younger kids are less likely to be identified as gifted, even though their IQ scores may be within five points of their older siblings’ scores. Partly it’s that parents don’t notice their achievements as much, and partly it’s their quest to stand apart from their siblings.

Then there’s the whole issue of persistence. The doctor warned me that no parent has as much willpower as a determined 4-year-old. When it’s getting on toward the end of a long day, our inclination is to give in. Theirs is to dig in their heels. They are eloquent and imaginative, so it’s hard to argue with them. They are also still maturing, so they’re quite capable of dropping into a tantrum at a moment’s notice.

Just how tough does he think my year is going to be? He says he gets more calls from parents about 4-year-olds than any other age group, teenagers included. Wish me luck.

By Amy De La Hunt, Health Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story

Amy De La Hunt is a journalist and editor who lives in the St. Louis metro area and works across the country as a writer, copy editor, project manager and editorial consultant on everything from fiction books to monthly magazines to blog posts. When she's not chauffeuring her teenage sons to activities, Amy is an enthusiastic amateur cook, landscaper, Latin dancer and traveler. Follow Amy on Instagram @amy_in_words

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Breakfast with the Bunny at the Saint Louis Zoo
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 12, 2025

Hop into spring by bringing your family for a fun breakfast with the Bunny and other costumed characters at the Saint Louis Zoo. Guests can pose for photos with the bunny, and children 12 and under receive a gift from the bunny's gift basket. Reservations are required. 

View this event »
WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary
Friday, April 4, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025

Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience. 

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps enrolling now. 

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us