My 5 yr old has always had a tiny attitude but it has seem to have gotten worse since he started school. He is in a headstart program and his teachers say he is fine and behaves well in school. I know when I go to pick him up from school every once in a while is he rude to a classmate. He has started getting to the point where hand spanking and/or time out don't help, he yells back, mocks me with voice and hand gestures, recently started telling me to go away when I get onto him and whines for his daddy (which he has never ever done).
S., for the most part I agree with what the ladies are saying. Ignoring it is the best policy. My 2 year old goes to preschool program and has definitely developed an attitude at first. I countered this when every time I pick him up from there or he cops a major attitude I just pick him up and hug him and kiss him. Sometimes this is really hard to do when he has pushed my buttons repeatedly but it really seems to be working for us.
Hello S.,
I totally agree with Christy. Ignore this behavior, don't make a big deal out of it, but discipline him at the same time. Put him in his room and don't give in till he realizes that it is not acceptable. Even if you have to feed him his meals in there do it. He will eventually understand. Also I think Anna said take away the things he likes, like toys or whatever, that is a good idea too. This maybe his way of acting out and showing his disapproval of your new dating situation. But he has to get over that as well....you have to do what you need to do for yourself. Stand Firm S., you can do it! :) A.
Well I am here to tell you if you are playing into his game he will continue to play...With my daughter I learned If I ignore the hand gestures and the mocking, It does (believe it or not) stop...But you have to be consistent...I also have learned to send my daughter to her room and if the yelling continues shut the door until he has stopped screaming for 2 minutes. Then open the door and say if you are done screaming then I will leave the door open. If he screams again. Shut the door...It is hard to ignore but he will learn when he gets NO reaction from you that it isn't working any more. I PROMISE;)
I do totally agree with what Christy had to say but I also want to add that if he continues to disrespect you like that then you should start taking away his "luxuries". I would empty his room down to just a bed if you have to. That way when you send him to his room he will not have anything to play with, watch, or listen to. He will need to earn those things back with good behavior. When he yells back, mocks you, or gives you hand gestures don't yell at him or say anything, just put him straight in his bare room and close the door if you have to. After 5 minutes go back in tell him why you put him there. If he continues to be disrespectful just tell him that he has to stay in his room until he has a better attitude. Period. Also I would make him apologize for being disrespectful to you before he comes out of his room. Anyway good luck and I hope things get better for you. If you don't get a handle on it now it will only get worse. I know because I had a daughter that acted the same way.
Maiby he is scared that he will loose you to your new boyfriend, that could also be ,why he wants his Dad now.
Maiby you could talk to him, and ashure him, how much he means to you.
A.
I have had the same problem with my 5 year old, and still do. His attitude got worse when his baby brother was born. With some help from my fiance (not my 5 year old's father) we have learned how to control his attitude by doing the exact same things that have been mentioned. We started taking away his favorite games and toys, would send him to his room, and if he started to cry and scream we would close his door. IT WORKS... Good Luck.
he may be trying to push his luck with u? I have a 3yr old and he goes to daycare and they say the same thing of how good he is and never gets in trouble...some kids do this and only to see how far they can puch those mommy buttons.. What about giving him the attention.. Maybe this could be a factor.. Since u have a smaller child he feels as though why not me.. OF course kids will be jealous of one another.. They have tht way of thinking that they dont feel they are getting enough attention.. Good luck to u
All I can say is Christy R hit the nail on the head. I go through the same thing with my 3 1/2 yr old. Christy's advice works. Trust me!
And as a single stressed out mom myself I know how hard it is to ignore this behavior. Kudos on finally meeting someone!
When your five year old starts to act out, let him know that is not acceptable behavior, and put him in his room until he calms down then we he do explain to him that you don't like to punish him but he has to learn how to follow the rules.
