Out of control 4 year old

[Dannasmom]

I have a 4 year old, who will turn 5 in March. Her Daddy and I have divorced, and he has nothing to do with her. She has Been screaming, hitting, and throwing tantrums for the past few months. I have spanked her, and it dont seem to help, she tells me nobody loves her, or I want her to die, then I feel guilty afterwards. She goes to preschool four days a week. She is well behaved at school. The problems start after she gets home. She refuses to listen to anything I tell her to do. She is an only child. What stategies would help disipline her? Thanks so much!

[lolalush]

I know you might have been told this already but 4 year olds react well to star charts and things like that as they have something to work towards and get something out of it and anything is worth a try at this stage. with the hitting i when she does that i would just sit her on a chair and say no thats naughty and i dont want you to treat me like that and when you can say sorry we will talk ( i know it sounds tough but worth a try ) hope it helps

shelly

[margypops]

Forget punishing its about understanding and trying to find the reason she is so upset,the fact her Dad has nothing to do with her is sad and if this happened recently could well be having an affect ,would it not be possible for her to have time with him.?Spanking has been proven to make situations worse, the fact she tells you "nobody   loves me' speaks volumes, this little girl could use some positive attention, as the problems start at home it is telling you the problem does lie with a lack of Parent /child interaction, Good books out there SOS Help for Parents by Lyn Clark may give you some help.