My son will be 4 in three months, he's the middle child of 3 boys. He has always been a challenging child and we have had to adjust our techniques and parenting to suit his needs. Recently he has started saying really mean things to me when he doesn't get his way. He'll say I'm the worst mum in the world, he doesn't love me, he hates the world, it's the worst day ever etc. I know they're just words and after 5ish minutes he calms down, snaps out of the meltdown and apologises. He'll say sorry and that he loves me. I have no idea how to discipline this behaviour. I honestly feel like smacking him when he's yelling at me, but that has not worked in the past. I've been ignoring it and then once he calms down telling him that it's hurtful etc, but I'm not sure what the consequence of these outbursts should be? I don't want him to think he can just be awful and that saying sorry fixes it all, but I like to give a consequence that matches the 'crime'. I'm also aware that he's still little and trying to deal with his emotions, but it's frustrating! Any ideas?
2 Replies
My middle son went through that also. I agree, it does hurt even though they're only words but I found the best thing to do was to have an answer...for all of his "hate" towards me, I would respond with "that's ok, I love you enough for the both of us". For all of his "worst days ever" I would point out funny little things he had done to make me or his brothers laugh. Try distractions too. It's a stage that will pass, he's trying to assert himself. Good luck x
Yep I agree with this