At least that is how I've been feeling lately...
There seems to be NOTHING I can do to get Ethan to listen or cooperate.
It seems that the word "listening" is in every other sentence I say these days.
Is this just being 3 1/2 years old?
This is certainly the case w/swim lessons...he loves the pool, loves water, yet is being rebellious when it comes to his class. He won't stay in the pool w/his teacher and today he pitched a fit when I left the pool area so he could start his lesson (me leaving was our 'strategy' for getting him to cooperate)...he completed his lesson today, but not after causing a big scene.
I'm to the point where I don't want to take him ANYWHERE with me because of the fits he pitches.
At home, it's even a bit worse...when I (try to) put him in a timeout, he doesn't sit where I put him, even if it's a short time out. My child can be such a little booger and I don't know what to do.
I've taken away toys for bad behavior, but not sure what else I can do.
Thoughts running through my head: do I need to get the Strong Willed Child book?? are these ADD/ADHD behaviors I'm seeing (I know it's early for diagnosis)??
Thoughts running through my head: do I need to get the Strong Willed Child book?? are these ADD/ADHD behaviors I'm seeing (I know it's early for diagnosis)??
What have I done wrong?
3 comments:
I don't have the answers and I have been a mom less time than you have. I think what I have learned is that a lot of how the kid acts is based on personality. Like my kid for example tends towards a more relaxed personality, therefore, most things are easy with him. That is not to say that he doesn't have tantrums because he does. He has plenty of meltdowns and we are lucky becauase at 2 1/2, he is still in his crib so we can use that for time outs and we do. But anyway, he has always been an easier kid and the daycare lady tells us he is her easiest kid (I'd like to take all the credit, but I just can't since he is naturally laid back).
I wish I knew what the answer is. I think consistency is key. They say if you only discipline the kid half the time when you threaten them every time, they will know you don't mean it and act out. (Not saying you don't already do this)
If you ever have watched super nanny, she always says that even if it takes 100 times (it's exhausting for sure) keep taking them back to time out until they stay for their allotted time. And this is completely personal for people so this may be a 'no way' for you, but didn't know if you had considered spankings at all. Some people are sure it works, others, not so much.
Good luck and remember, it won't last forever!
I don't think you're a bad mom, kids are kids. My nephew picked up pinching and biting and we don't know from where because he doesn't go to daycare. He's watched either by my sister or his grandmother and they do not do either of those things! However, if he doesn't get his way that's what he does, but they are slowly breaking him of that. Patience and more patience, along with lots of love is all you really have to combat this with. Chin up :D
My son had the terrible fours. I thought I had the most spectacular son because he didn't have the terrible twos, but then four arrived and all hell broke loose...and it lasted the entire year. One day it ended as suddenly as it began. Good luck. I don't envy what you're going through. Just keep reinforcing everything even when you want to give in
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