Do all 4-yr-olds go through a toddler regression phase?

Sarah seems to be experiencing a desire to be a toddler (or even a baby) again. She will reply "bla bla bla" to just about any question (not in the "Mom, you're boring me" way, but like a baby babbling) until I get incredibly annoyed and tell her I'm walking away in 5 seconds if she doesn't answer me in real words.

She also says "no" and pushes my hand away if I try to do anything like help her get dressed, but she won't do it herself either. She just sits there like a lump until I issue some kind of ultimatum. And if I make a request like "Please go put your shoes on," she answers "No" (or "bla bla") and just ignores me.

Amy is not doing the babbling thing, but she is also deaf as a post half the time. When she was 2, I knew she didn't have the ability to focus on my voice if she was busy with something, but now I feel like she's doing it just because she feels like it.

I'm sure this is all developmentally appropriate and all, but it is driving me crazy. :headbang: (And of course it doesn't help that DH is out of town for 10 days -- in fact that's probably making it worse, but they were doing it before he left too.) Someone please tell me your 4yos did/do this too.

 

Alden:

Well, my DD does like to pretend to be a baby (or a toddler) and will even announce "I am being a baby/toddler now!" She's been night trained for the better part of a year, but sometimes will insist on wearing a pull-up to bed (like a toddler or like a baby). And, she will sometimes revert to her version of baby talk (Wah! Wah! or pointy talk). She also insists on wearing footy jammies to bed from her toddler days (that are at least 2 sizes too small!) It totally drives me crazy. But, I think she just wants to pretend to be a baby and that its probably because being a baby/toddler seems, well, comforting. So, I usually don't make a big deal about it, I figure this too shall pass. Sigh.

BTW -- my DS never does this. Go figure.

So, I don't have any great words of wisdom, just want you to know that you are not alone. Good luck coping with the out of town spouse syndrome -- I'm sending you positive thoughts!

Meg -- mom to 4 year old boy/girl twins

 

Is anyone in your life having a baby or just had a baby? A friend of ours is expecting twin girls and my girls have started acting like a baby a lot. Sometimes its while they are playing (right now they are taking turns being mommy/baby), but sometimes its just in normal life. Meara especially does this and it drives me nuts. I assume its because we've been talking about babies a lot and have recently watched some home movies of them when they were little. When she does it I try to be calm (and not frustrated) and say "when you are ready to talk like the bigirl that you are, I will talk to you." I agree its so annoying when we are trying to get ready to do something and all of a sudden I have this whining, grunting girl who decides she is a baby :crazy:

 

My boys have never done this. BUT, I do remember my sister's girls going through a stage like you describe. Maybe it's just a girl thing.