Feeling very imperfect mum. My 9 year old boy is so rude but only to us! I feel like he is a spoilt brat and doesn't appreciate what he has! (We are very careful with not spoiling him! Christmas we wanted him to feel special so we made sure he got nice things as well as school clothes that he ruined last year so hopefully he understands this) Neighbours, school friends mums, extended family tell us he is extremely polite and respectful. What am I going to do when he's a teenager? He just won't listen, we tell him to stop, give him warnings. We have seen a psychiatrist last year for behaviour. He can be an absolute charmer when he wants something, but when he is in a bad mood it ruins it for the rest of the family. Any advice??
Background: dad and I divorced, I have had a new partner for 3 & 1/2 years. He has an older brother, they don't get along. 2 younger 1/2 brothers, 1 & 2 years old.
Advice for 9 year old attitude!
Advice for 9 year old attitude!
Posted in:
Behaviour
1 Replies
Pre-teen years are as tough if not tougher than the actual teens. Sure mine can be surly, ignorant and rude at times but the years leading up to their teens is where they're learning all the skills that will get them through those teen years and send them into adulthood. He's still a kid and he needs to learn those skills including methods to either overcome bad moods or at least to remove himself from the family with an apology just stating he needs a bit of time-out. Be tough now because all too soon it will be too late. He has proven he can be polite and respectful so demand it of him, one warning then straight into the consequence at the next instance, and make it substantial. You MUST follow up, no consequences means he can do whatever he wants and you won't do anything about it - no brainer, without consequences I'd do stuff I'm not supposed to too! I go straight for the jugular with my boy. He loves his xbox so losing it for him is like losing a limb (you'd think anyway). We still pull him up if he doesn't respond when spoken to. Instead of a pysch, maybe try a family counsellor to rebuild the family dynamic and intra-family relationships.