[kdk545]

I am at my wits end with my 4 3/4 year old son and dont know what to do about what seems to be impulsive behavior. At this point Im wondering what would help-- a child psychologist? Physical or occupational therapy? Stricter discipline/punishments? Having him tested for some medical/psychological issue???

(We adopted him at 2 years old, 2 3/4 years ago.)

BTW: He has always been described as "spirited", "overly curious", "rambunctious" etc by family and preschool people.

It seems that no matter how many times I tell him not to do something, he does it anyway over and over and over again. My husband and mine's common refrain is
''he doesnt bleeping listen!'' It seems my son doesnt care about the consequences, he just does what he feels like doing at that moment, even though he knows what he is doing is wrong.

Today is just one day-long example of the kinds of things he has done, after being told not to: We were at a park and he was climbing over rocks in the water. I told him not to put his feet in the water because he had shoes on. As soon as I turned my back, he put not one but both feet in the water. About a week ago and several times before I have told him not to pull out the gardening tubes that were planted in our garden. Today, he pulled them out when he wanted to dig something. I have told him never to draw on anything but paper, today he drew on our dining room
wall. I have told him not to rub toothpaste on the bathroom mirrors. This morning, he did it again, rubbed toothpaste on the mirror. He asked me if he could turn on the hose to play in water, I told him no as we were going to be leaving and I didnt want him to get wet. I went inside the house, he turned on the hose. We have told him dont pull on the wire in the back of the house because that is our tv cable line. Today, he pulled out the cable line. We have told him not to take the screen of the back window....he pulled the screen off he back window.

This was just one day. The list isnt always this long, but this does describe my son and typical behavior we deal with.

Hes not doing any of this in anger or during defiant episodes if hes mad or upset. This is his behavior during the course of a day of playing...doing whatever he wants to do, when he wants to do it. Hes almost like a 2 year old who doesnt know limits, except he'll be 5 in one month!

We have timed him out, took away toys, took away tv priviledges, sent him to his room. TV and going to his room (for long periods of time, not just the one minute
per age thing) seem to make the most impact. I dont think time out for 5 minutes or taking away a toy does much good at all.

Does anyone have any advice/suggestions/knowledge? I feel so lost and frustrated.
At My Wits End