4yo pushing boundaries

[AnyDream]

Thing 1 - grab some stackable plastic tubs/drawers from Big W & rehouse the craft things next to/under the craft table in the dining room.

Thing 2 - I don't know how you ladies who can't let your kids roam in the backyard do it! Seriously, it's a major sanity-saver for them to get outside. Could you increase the number of outings to parks/open play areas where DD could ramble, ride her bike/scooter/play in the dirt/sand? That's a really nice balance between scheduled activities & unstructured free play. If she can run off her energy an extra few times a week, you get the variety of going somewhere different, and she might be more compliant at home.

Thing 3 - when our DD was 4 she became more defiant too - it is normal for them to be trying to exercise more autonomy at this age. Open up the choices you give her in other areas (not wide open, give her an extra option or two) - so that she develops more of a sense of control. For eg, where would you like to go today? Or what should we have for tea tonight? But also introduce some cues about those times when things aren't open to negotiation, so she has clear guidelines about when she can negotiate vs when what you say goes, no arguments.

Hope this helps