x-post: 4 year olds and what to expect from them

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Re: x-post: 4 year olds and what to expect from them

4.5 is still a baby and not able to understand that his words are hurtful. He is just telling the truth. You can tell him that his words made grandma and grandpa feel bad, but his reaction may be one of "ok, whats your point? I dont like them".

Kids are BRUTALLY honest. Not until the age of 6 or 7 are they TRULY able to understand "if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all". My oldest is 7 and this concept did not start hitting home for him till I would say close to the middle of kindergarten. Until then, its "age appropriate" to have NO filter.



I also want to add, that honestly, at this age, your ILS should understand that he is still little and that little ones dont tend to "sugar coat" their emotions.

Re: x-post: 4 year olds and what to expect from them

Posted by MrsGmomof3

4.5 is still a baby and not able to understand that his words are hurtful. He is just telling the truth. You can tell him that his words made grandma and grandpa feel bad, but his reaction may be one of "ok, whats your point? I dont like them".

Kids are BRUTALLY honest. Not until the age of 6 or 7 are they TRULY able to understand "if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all". My oldest is 7 and this concept did not start hitting home for him till I would say close to the middle of kindergarten. Until then, its "age appropriate" to have NO filter.



I also want to add, that honestly, at this age, your ILS should understand that he is still little and that little ones dont tend to "sugar coat" their emotions.

Re: x-post: 4 year olds and what to expect from them

I go through the same thing. One week my DD loves MIL and the next my mom. She says hurtful things as well and my mom is very sensitive and it hurts her feelings although she says she understands. I don't have any advice. I try to explain to my dd that if she doesn't want to do someting with one of her grandmas then she can talk to me about it so we can tell them nicely.