[wanttobemommy]

My best friends son is 4 years old. He had a major problem with listening to people. He has snuck out on more than one occasion. He has also stabbed someone inside their ear and actually punctured the persons ear drum. The person was asleep and woke up to this happening. She is freaking out today because while she was cleaning her room which is right by the front door her son managed to sneak right out the front door and a neighbor called the cops. He wasnt outside for very long but since he has snuck out before she got in some major trouble. They rent where they live so she can not add chain locks or anything to the doors. When he snuck out the window they just got a window stick that has a pressure spring in it so he couldnt get out. Any advice. Also the sneaking out isnt the only issue they have. He does not listen and does not respond to any type of punishment. She is at her wits end and was considering military school till she found out he was too young. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[DivasMomma]

She can still get a chain lock....all it is, is one little screw on each side. When they move, all they need to do is remove it and it isnt much money either,

Has he ever been checked out by a psychiatrist? It sounds like he has a lot of issues that need to be worked through...

[purelegance]

what about having baby gates on the doors as well? it may not work for all doors, but like for our closet door (standard any-room door.) we have the baby gate in the threshold, but you can still shut/open the actual door. (though, it does become a pain to climb over the gate!) i'll try to think of some different options. Izzy has snuck out a few times too, thankfully she goes right next door to my moms.

[wanttobemommy]

the landlord said that he will charge them for a new door and frame if they put a chain lock on. I will mention the baby gates but he is a pretty tall 4 year old so not sure it would work unless they stacked two on eachother

[mrmnmom82]

This sounds like either a parenting problem, or maybe he needs to see a doctor. It's more likely a parenting problem. If she takes him to see a phyciatrist, a good one will teach both her and him how to handle these situations.

[wanttobemommy]

she has already taken him to one behavioral phychiatrist and they said that he had ODD And ADHD at the time he was three and she is a firm believer that you shouldnt medicate your child that young. She is a single mom and she is a good one but sometimes it isnt always the parents fault when kids dont listen. I NEVER listened to my mother and she had three other well behaved kids and my older sister didnt do anything right according to my mom so she made me look like a saint. I really dont think that it is a parenting issue thanks again.

[mrmnmom82]

My sister's son has ADHD and there are classes that she and her son go to. She learns how to handle him in a way he will respond to, to prevent him from becoming agressive. Maybe she could look into some parenting groups of ADHD kids.

I don't think you should give children that young drugs either, which is why the only other option is to change disciplinary style.

[DivasMomma]

I agree with changing...she is probably a GREAT parent (esp being by herself) but kids with ANY kind of mental disorder only respond to certain ways. My sister was diagnosed with both of those as well, at 11 her diagnoses changed to bipolar, although he doesnt sound bipolar

[bkallens]

What about installing a sensor that makes a noise when the door/window is opened? You should be able to install one of those with some sticky velcro tabs tthat you can take off later without marking up the wall.

[bkallens]

Heres a link to one for $10: http://www.mypreciouskid.com/wireless-door-alarm.html