Okay, so I just had an odd moment with Blair and I'd like some imput on what you might think was going on. Keep in mind he is 4, and a happy-go-lucky, hyper kid. Usually its hard to get him to be serious when I am trying to get a point across to him. He was watching t.v. in his room and I walked by his door. He called me in and told me he was thirsty. So I said "Well, I will get you a glass of milk, but you have to ask nicely" He turned his head away from me and looked at the ground. His cheeks got red. I prompted "just say 'please' and I will get you some milk" He didn't answer. Wouldn't look at me. He stared at the tv. I walked in and snapped off the tv and asked him to look at me. He refused. He stared at the ground. I layed on the ground he looked somewhere else. I poked him and tickled him and tried to get him to say "please" but couldn't get a word out of him. He just kept staring at the ground like he was sad or mad or both. I have never seen him like this before! Seriously, I didn't know he had a low setting! He's always running at full speed! I asked him if he was mad at me, he said "No, I just don't want to talk to you right now" and layed on the ground and stared at the ceiling. After about ten minutes of trying to get that stinkin word out of him, I gave up, unplugged the tv as punishment and walked out. Two steps out the door, Blair leaps up, folds his hands and says "Please, mommy? Please can you get me a glass of milk and please will you turn on the tv?"

What gives? Why was he so sad/mad? Why wouldn't he talk to me? Why was he being so stubborn about saying Please? Its never been a problem before, he's always been polite, saying please and thank you and excuse me. Those were practically his first words! You've never seen anything so cute as a little 18 month old toddling past a couch full of people going "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" I don't know, it was all very strange, and now, he's acting like his old self. So, any ideas?

Hi Seraphin,
Sounds like you have a normal 4 year old to me. Four is a great age to try Mom's nerves. You did the right thing by walking out of the room and made a good point to your son. My kids have been great right up to four years old then they start chewing with their mouths open, demanding things, and some times just plain forget any manners they were taught. It may happen again if it does react just the same way and soon you both will get through it.
Good luck.

Sera,

Ty did the same thing to me, and sometimes still does. I think he is just testing to see if you will give in before he does. It is good that you didn't. I'm hoping that is all it is for you since it is rare that Ty does it to me now. I honestly believe that he is getting a little older and now wants to test to see if he can get away w/more. Stay strong and don't let him get one over on you. If he ever does, he won't stop!

Good luck and let me know how it goes! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Simone did the same stuff. For her it was a cry for attention. She is a very polite child but around three and a half to four or so she demanded attention... by doing stuff she knew not to. I think the best way to handle it is to let them know it does not work (like you did when you unplugged the TV and walked out), and then maybe when he starts acting right ask him if he would like you to watch TV with him?