Hello moms- I'm needing some advice on how to deal with my 4 year who just started imitating his 15 mo old sister, I mean imitating the crawling, babbling, just tit for tat. It's not ALL the time but for the past 2 wks or so I've really noticed it. Most of the times he acts like a big boy but when he's playing with his sister he doesn't lead he follows what she does and it's concerning for me. Do you guys think this is normal or a cause for concern?
Things are LOT better...I think I really had to relax a bit because it was really concerning me. After I did that my patience with him grew and I just kept monitoring him. He's still does it every once in a while but it's not like before. He loves his sister and he plays with her a lot, I think they'll be a great team! Thanks everyone for your advice.
Very Normal! My son is doing the same thing right now. It's not all the time, but every now and then. I wouldn't worry about it!
Don't worry about it. My oldest son, age 12, does baby-talk and crawling around sometimes with his 1-yr-old brother. He's just trying to connect at their level. I dare say, I've seen some grown-ups revert when around a baby.
Yep, normal. He's experimenting with what it is like to be a baby. He doesn't remember it and it's kinda fun. Let him enjoy bonding with her in this way and you can chock up the big boy stuff as you see him doing it. "Wow. Look at how you can button that shirt so nicely! You couldn't do that when you were sister's age. Look how big you've grown. I'm so proud!" You can also play up how much he can teach his sister, since he's learned so much.
T., this is absolutely normal and no cause for concern. Studies have shown that the best way to communicate with anyone from infants to adults is to mimic their actions, etc. This means that his sister is probably enjoying their play immensely and they are busy bonding. The other suggestions that he be given some special attention is always a good idea when there is more than one child in a family. Each one needs his/her own special time with parents. Relax, enjoy your wonderful children and keep smiling!
Unless he is acting like his little sister all the time for attention. I would let him play with her like this- he is just trying to be on her level when playing with her. (I think it shows that he can relate to others on their level).
If he does this alot, you might talk to him and tell him that his sister will learn how to talk and walk and play like a big girl if she sees him acting like a big boy. And that he would be helping her learn by not acting like a baby.
Respond by holding him and doing special things with him. And if sister comes up and demands to be held during his "holding time," you need to tell her no. He needs more from you right now for whatever reason.
Put him on the counter and let him make cookies with you while you chat up what a big boy and helper he is. Equate being a "big boy" with having special time with you. When he decides to be a baby, just enjoy it.
VickiS
Totally normal, no cause for worry. Maybe you can even hold him & talk to him the same way you do with your daughter; he'd probably get a kick out of it, think it's funny & enjoy the special cuddles. :)
Well, these are my thoughts...
How wonderful that he is playing with her and understanding her limits. Not all brothers are roughians to their little sisters. It seems irritating now but he will soon get bored and move on to bigger things. He may never tire of playing with her and how lucky you are to have a child that thinks his little sibling is wonderful.
Just be sure he has age appropriate activities too with daddy or other peers. Don't scold or praise for the baby behavior but acknowledge him for his loving, kind behavior instead and grit your teeth. If it's just for attention from you, he needs a little more four year old time like a good book in your lap at the same time every day or painting or homework, or anything that is at four level.
Please don't forget he is the oldest and by studies (300k men) he will be the smartest sibling per IQ.
Also, boys that get along with their younger siblings usually make the better daddy's.
I hope that makes things better. God bless your sweet family. c
I agree with the previous post, totally normal. He thinks if he behaves like her, he will get the attention she gets. At 4 years old he's not really old enough to wrap his brain around the idea that babies require more attention.
