Mouthy DD - advice PLEASE!!
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Mouthy DD - advice PLEASE!!
| Wed, 06-23-2004 - 1:58pm |
My DD is 5 and a half yrs. old and she is very mouthy and bossy. She starts out EVERY day with an attitude. She doesn't want to help or do anything that she is told and I feel like she is walking all over me at times. My DH says that I am to easy on her, but she acts the same way with him. I have tried time-outs, taking important things away from her, making her sit and write things over and over again like -I am not the boss..ect. and nothing has worked. I don't like to spank unless it is something that will or could hurt them. (for example - if one of them ran out in the street or something serious like that) I know several parents that spank their kids and it doesn't seem to make them any better than my kids. If she is with another parent they say that she doesn't act that way and in fact she is very good. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Beth - SAHM to Lauren and Noah

Our little Jessica is a *spirited* 3.5yo, she has an attitude, wants things her own way and bullies every chance she gets.
I got the below idea out of Parent Magazine and it's worked WONDERS!!!!
On the fridge is a "Jessica is a Good Listener" chart. Everytime she does something she's supposed to, she gets a happy face (for making Mommy/Daddy happy). When she gets 5 happy faces, then she gets a treat (a piece of candy out of a bowl). She LOVES this. When she's sassy I say "if you're sassy, you'll get a happy face taken away". She is VERY helpful and now a good listener without the lectures, begging, time outs, etc. The only caveat is that you really have to enforce it a lot in the beginning, otherwise it can fall apart and you'll end up at the same place.
I like this method, because it praises her for doing well, and not a constant reminder of how bad she's doing.
HTH
Jennifer, Jessica 2/23/01, Alexandra 7/8/03
Trust me, my kids are no angels, but they rarely ever mouth off, almost never. (except for the one thats almost a teenager!). And all I do is always make it very clear to them that I demand respect, etc. I will not tolerate less. Sounds like a simple concept, but it seems to work. And if they do get out of line, mouth off, etc. I call them on it instantly and let them know that its unacceptable, etc. I mainly only have that problem with the oldest and he is stubborn but I'm more stubborn!! So I never let him "win" in a battle of wills. It makes the battling less appealing to him, lol. The kids can all speak up in their defense, but they can't get "lippy". It takes a lot of work to get some kids to behave/use their manners, etc.
Good luck to you.
Shelby
SAHM to Haylei
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201441934/qid=1088039819/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-1698034-8549758?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
I have also heard good things about Raising Your Spirited Child.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060923288/qid=1088040132/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-1698034-8549758
I think there are book excerpts of these at the links. Maybe one of them will seem like something that might help. Best wishes - Suzanne
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Shelby
SAHM to Haylei
Shelby,
Don't be embarassed, I hope I did not make you feel bad! I happened to catch a 20/20 type program one time...I think the title was something like...Everyday things parents do, that could make their children sick...or something similiar.
I think I got my mouth washed out a few times to!
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