Forgetful or Playing Me?

[ttremble88]

I have this set of brothers for b/a care. The youngest is 4, turning 5 in 16 sleeps (I am not usually that on top of birthdays, but his birthday is the same day as my c-section and darn straight I am counting down..lol.. )

Anyhow, this dcb forgets EVERYTHING. I mean things that are done on a daily basis, are forgotten daily. It is actually quite frustrating. I understand if you are 2-3 OR forget occasionally OR you forget random things. But the tasks that I need to remind him about, are, no joke, every day. Here are some examples:

-close the door when you go to the bathroom
-flush the toilet
-wash your hands
-turn off the running water
-put your boots on the rack
-dont leave your backpack in the middle of the floor
-lunch bag goes into your backpack after snack
-garbage is not left on the table
-we say please when asking for something
-we say thank you when getting something
-jackets need to be hung up

That is just some. I dont know if I am expecting to much?! But I thought at that age, these would be normal everyday things. And he has been with me for 7 months, so it is not like it is new rules, but it seems as though his mom has similar ones as she tells him the same things at pick up.

And to make matters worse, he has started to whine when I remind him of certain things.

What do you think. Am I expecting to much? Is it these hormones? Or should these be regular tasks that a 5 year old should know? I personally have my own 4.5 year old, but I do not like to compare.

[Samantha33]

Is his name X. No, not asking to much at all IMO.

[ttremble88]

Is his name X. No, not asking to much at all IMO.

Nope, not X!

[AmandaKDT]

I have 3 four years old and 1 five year old and I have to remind them regularly to do all the things you listed. They are able to do all the things independently, but often have to reminded. I don't take it to heart, they are still young. But they don't whine about it, that would be annoying! I probably would have a consequence if my request to clean up after themselves was answered with whining. All I do is a quick reminder and they come back and do it. And no, it probably isn't helping that you are hormonal and pregnant! :-)

[nschildcare]

I have this set of brothers for b/a care. The youngest is 4, turning 5 in 16 sleeps (I am not usually that on top of birthdays, but his birthday is the same day as my c-section and darn straight I am counting down..lol.. )

Anyhow, this dcb forgets EVERYTHING. I mean things that are done on a daily basis, are forgotten daily. It is actually quite frustrating. I understand if you are 2-3 OR forget occasionally OR you forget random things. But the tasks that I need to remind him about, are, no joke, every day. Here are some examples:

-close the door when you go to the bathroom
-flush the toilet
-wash your hands
-turn off the running water
-put your boots on the rack
-dont leave your backpack in the middle of the floor
-lunch bag goes into your backpack after snack
-garbage is not left on the table
-we say please when asking for something
-we say thank you when getting something
-jackets need to be hung up

That is just some. I dont know if I am expecting to much?! But I thought at that age, these would be normal everyday things. And he has been with me for 7 months, so it is not like it is new rules, but it seems as though his mom has similar ones as she tells him the same things at pick up.

And to make matters worse, he has started to whine when I remind him of certain things.

What do you think. Am I expecting to much? Is it these hormones? Or should these be regular tasks that a 5 year old should know? I personally have my own 4.5 year old, but I do not like to compare.

This is 2 of my 4 kids... backpacks in the entry way, constant reminders to empty lunches (hello, you've been in school for years, just empty the damn thing), watches in pants in the laundry (every night a panicked run down to the laundry room) etc etc. And my husband still doesn't flush the toilet, among other things that are less annoying. Yes these 2 are just like him :P

I just try to make sure to make eye contact when I make my requests, provide prompts, and then just let it go. They are mine and I love them

[kassiemom]

I wonder if you could make him some sort of checklist chart or something even in the bathroom they have those signs from public health that show you how to wash your hands maybe he and all the kids would benefit from having it on the mirror. I know for all kids they don't respond great to "nagging" or constant reminding so if you have a checklist with these things on it and once he is in the door and settled have him look at the list and he can go back and put his shoes away or pick up his back pack on his own without verbal reminders. This would also give him a sense of responsibility Hang in there!

[AmandaKDT]

I wonder if you could make him some sort of checklist chart or something even in the bathroom they have those signs from public health that show you how to wash your hands maybe he and all the kids would benefit from having it on the mirror. I know for all kids they don't respond great to "nagging" or constant reminding so if you have a checklist with these things on it and once he is in the door and settled have him look at the list and he can go back and put his shoes away or pick up his back pack on his own without verbal reminders. This would also give him a sense of responsibility Hang in there!

Checklists are good, but you are still going to have to do lots of reminding - "Remember your checklist." "What did you forget from your checklist?" "Did you do your bathroom checklist?" These are verbal reminders too. Either way you are going to have to keep on him to clean up after himself.