I am at an absolute loss as to how to deal with my 5 year old sons attitude towards me. He is disrespectful, defiant, says I don't love him & threatens to hit me. Just before he said he wanted to smash me because I said he couldn't eat coz we were having dinner soon (he already had afternoon tea) I've tried punishment, spending time alone with him, positive reinforcement but nothing works. I'm hoping this is just a stage but I'm at my wits end!! Help!!
3 Replies
I'm pretty sure it's a bit of a stage! They can also be such no it alls at this age.
My five year old is the same, the attitude, the back chatting, saying mean things- but her teachers have assured me on more than one occasion that it's normal, it's an age/ learning different boundaries thing, I cannot wait till it passes. just keep all boundaries clear and all punishment ect the same they will soon learn to stop pushing ( well I hope:/)
My 4.5 yr old is the same. He's always been a good kid, great manners and polite and happy but lately he fights me on everything and says he'll do .... If I don't let him do something.
I spoke with his daycare director and friends with older kids who all said it's completely normal and a sign of them trying to find their independence.
Best advice I got was to stay strong on all the big things and not let him get away with bad behaviour but to try and give him choices on the small things so he can practice and learn independance and teach him that if you speak to mum meanly then mum won't let you do fun things. IE no you cannot run outside naked in 2degree weather but yes you can make a puddle and jump in it at 20degree weather.
Or no you cannot eat dinner on the floor watching cartoons but you can watch the cartoons if you eat properly at dinner.
It's about giving them choices in the right environment at this age and letting them have some choices.
Trust me I know how frustrated you are and how hard it is when they speak like this, but it is normal for this age. ( that's what wines for lol )