hes turned really naughty

[Elaine62]

Ihave a six year old son, who  i adore, of course. The thing is his attitude is really getting out of hand, hes allways saying no, to veverything he hates to leave the house for any reason. we cant  take him shopping, for clothes or even toys, he seems afraid of everything and gets very angry and talks to his father and myself as though were the enemy, he can be so loving sometimes but then he starts tantrumming and demmanding he is the only son we have at home bcoz all the others are grown up with thier own families incase ur thinking im an elderly parent im 42, please help thanks Elaine62

[TracyJ]

It might sound really simple but is he getting enough sleep? I have a son who is about to turn 6, and I must admit that he is going through a spell of 'attitude' at the moment. A lot of it I think is down to age, but I also found that putting him to bed just a half hour earlier has lightened his mood during the day. Both he and his 4 year old sister go to bed at 7.30 and get up around 7-7.30 in the morning and I seem to be getting less back chat.

Also, I do find school friends are a huge influence, so don't be too put out if he's talking horribly to you - they often see their friends getting away with it with their parents and think they can do the same to you - just nip it in the bud before it gets worse. My threats tend to involve not doing the nice things that we get to do, and I will carry them out, even if I feel horrid for doing so - I find that once I've carried out a threat they do take me seriously the next time. Lots of praise when he's being good is so important cos he'll soon figure out which is better - being told off or being praised. Good luck, and remember evrybody has these troubles at one time or another

[ursula62]

Tracy, please don't feel bad about following through on your threats/promises when children are naughty. You have to follow through with any threats you make, otherwise if a child thinks you won't do what you say then he or she can push the boundaries even more.  If you say you won't take him to the park unless he stops his tantrum and you still take him to the park all he has learned from that is he can get away with the bad behaviour next time.

[raven8401]

you just need to give his butt a good whooping and send him to his room. you do not let your kid run your life. you need to let him know who is the boss. tough love never hurt anybody.