Suggestion for getting my DD 4 1/2

[RainbowsMist]

We leave for Disney in 37 days and my sweet little 4 1/2 year old DD has become a whiney, temper tantrum thrower child

She's never been to anything remotely comparable to Disney before so I know this will be very overwhelming to her. I have this awful picture in my head of her seeing certain rides or wanting to do things right then and there and DH & I trying to explain to her nicely *we can't do that right now..but we will do it later* then she throws herself into a fit.

Example: I had her to the mall on Saturday and she threw a fit because she couldn't ride one of those mall rides (she already had her treat earlier). I thought to myself..good lord, this is the mall!! If she acts like this here I can just imagine what Disney will be like

DH and I feel we need to get her *socially* in shape for our trip....

Any ideas?? We've really tried to crack down on the *when we say no...it means no* etc. but sometimes it's just so hard. She's our last child and naturally has us both wrapped around her pinky finger. We are the only ones to blame

 

[mericletwins]

We leave for Disney in 37 days and my sweet little 4 1/2 year old DD has become a whiney, temper tantrum thrower child

She's never been to anything remotely comparable to Disney before so I know this will be very overwhelming to her. I have this awful picture in my head of her seeing certain rides or wanting to do things right then and there and DH & I trying to explain to her nicely *we can't do that right now..but we will do it later* then she throws herself into a fit.

Example: I had her to the mall on Saturday and she threw a fit because she couldn't ride one of those mall rides (she already had her treat earlier). I thought to myself..good lord, this is the mall!! If she acts like this here I can just imagine what Disney will be like

DH and I feel we need to get her *socially* in shape for our trip....

Any ideas?? We've really tried to crack down on the *when we say no...it means no* etc. but sometimes it's just so hard. She's our last child and naturally has us both wrapped around her pinky finger. We are the only ones to blame

Keep up with the no means no thing. She'll get it. Also, when in Disney there is so much to see and do around every corner that she will probably quickly forget the thing that you said she couldn't do. If all else fails, we have taken temper tantrum throwing kids right out of the park. They knew that they couldn't act that way or fun was over. I usually ignore the tantrum and walked a few feet away. It is best to react calmly.

 

[stacy6552]

1-2-3 Magic is the best book ever written.

Is she in preschool? If so being in line shouldn't be a new concept.

Psyche yourself up to walk right out of the park carrying your kicking and screaming child, right past a princess if need be.

Gee I hope you arent flying on Air Tran.

 

[mtemm]

one thing I would suggest is try to get her to nap every day if possible. we went with the kids for their first trip to wdw in october, my eldest was 4.5. He hasn't napped in a year, but every day we left the park at noon or 1 and went back to the resort and napped. at first he said he wasn't tired, and I said he just had to lay there and close his eyes for 15 minutes. usually he was out in about 5. wdw is really over stimulating and very tiring, and I really think the naps helped. after, we swam for a while...don't forget how much fun swimming is, at least if the weather is cooperative. then we would head to dinner (I planned all dinners at 5, our normal dinner time), and then to a park if we were up for it. most nights the kids were in bed no later than 8pm.

I really think making sure they are well rested, fed healthy food for the most part (we stocked the room with fruit and veggies, cherrios and other decent snack stuff, even stuff to make a quick pbj) on their normal schedule, it really helps make a difference.

we also followed TGMs advice for young children in the parks. worked like a dream!

good luck! luckily, there is so much to see and do, its almost easy to stear them towards something you want them to do then, especially if you tell them you do have whatever they want to do on the schedule.

 

[LaraK]

My DD threw a great big screaming fit right on main street as we walked in one day on our last trip. I was terribly embaressed (all the "you're a horrible mommy" looks didn't help either). I pulled her aside and sat her on a bench...didn't stop the fit. I picked her up and took her into the child care center and sat her facing the wall...that did it.

Disney can be really overwhelming. Try to set yourself up for success and not failure. If she understands money, give her a set amount for the day. If you want peace, go on a ride if she sees it and wants to ride. Pick your battles. NAP EVERY DAY!

Most importantly, remember that there are plenty of us going through the "F'n Fours" as someone on this board put it to me when I was lamenting my 4.5 year old's behavior. We all understand!

 

[momof5boys]

I agree 1-2-3 magic is the best book for handling 2-12 year olds. I would have been lost without it! But you have to stick with it even if you have to carry your little cherub kicking and screaming to their room (I've even had to hold the door shut!) All it takes is a week or two and the kids get it! Good luck, I can't wait to see how my 4 y.o. acts in WDW in Oct. either!

 

[bgirl29]

My only suggestion would be to plan a reward for the end of the day if they act nicely the rest of the time. Maybe they can pick the last ride before you leave for naps if they don't complain too much about going on rides others have chosen earlier, or they could have a mickey ice cream later if they are good now kinda thing. Also when going to the mall I always found my kids behaved better when if they asked for a reward I told them they could have a treat or go on a ride just before we go home if they behave nicely while mommy gets her shopping done. Just having something to look forward to seemed to help them behave a little better.