To tough?

[xxsteffyxx]

We had a brand new carpet fitted yesterday. My husband is disabled and we were very blessed to have our carpet paid for by our local council to support both my husband and our sons well being as we only had it fitted in the living room and our sons bedroom.

Obviously banned food and drink in the living room, for us all! Not just our boy, no one is allowed to eat and drink in the living room or bedrooms.

So, we are now getting Harvey to only go into the kitchen were his drink is. So he went into the kitchen, had his drink and sat down in the living room. And then spat it out on the carpet in the living room. Both husband and I were in there and watched.

We have spent the last week teaching Harvey not to eat or drink in the living room or bedroom and he understands and respects that he has to do what he is told. But this was just a blatant act of disrespect.

I'm the cleaner! I went spare, told him to get in his bedroom and stay there and think what he has done.

No sorry, nothing. He 'didn't like the carpet'.

So frustrated! Was I too OTT? Too hard on him? Or did I do the right thing?

Surely he has to learn right? I doubt we'll ever get to have carpet ever again, so I want to keep this one as nice as I can. I would rather Harvey had some respect for some nice things, especially things we will probably never be able to afford.

I don't know, maybe I'm an evil mummy. 😢

 

[RaspberryK]

Not too hard at all it's disgusting behaviour for a 4 year old (not judging or anything against you by any means).
I would have made my ds mop it up and have some time out for sure possibly even go on a water only and no juice for a week or something. I'd be absolutely livid.
X

 

[xxsteffyxx]

Thank goodness for that! I just thought I was being evil. it is disgusting behaviour and not what I would expect from him, he knows better. And he knows about respect for belongings and property, that's one thing we are battling with at the moment - he breaks everything on purpose at the moment to gain attention and spitting is the worst habit at the the moment, I hate it!! Luckily we are getting out of this phase at the moment, up until today he hasnt spat for a few weeks and had more respect, but maybe it was just the change with the carpet going down I don't know - but like you said, he is a well knowledgeable little boy who should know better, especially when he knew he was doing wrong.

Why do they like to test us so much?? 😳😳😳

 

[RaspberryK]

They are very testy at the moment, my ds is definitely ready for school! X

 

[xxsteffyxx]

Yup, so is Harvey. I'm hoping and praying that school will really help Harvey to learn to control some of his emotions and behaviours. I'm not sure how, he has come on so well in the last few months, but I really think he is ready for school now lol x

 

[.Mrs.B.]

I don't think you were too tough however I'm guessing the spitting was probably about more than just the carpet. I would take some time out to talk to him and reassure him as this seems like a way for him to have control over something rather than simply being naughty.

 

[jd83]

Not too tough. He knew it was wrong, and did it deliberately. He needs to learn that type of behavior will result in consequences, so I think how you handled it was perfectly appropriate. I'd probably switch him to water as well, as previous poster said, until he can show that he can be trusted again with colored drinks.