My nephew, if he behaves inappropriately, just sits alone in another room for 5 minutes. It gives him time to think and to realise that he's missing out on fun. He's safe and unhurt but is learning what is and isn't acceptable. He's 8. The time out must be immediately after the behaviour or it won't be linked in his mind. He knows how you feel, so, though there might usually be warnings, this might not, in this case, be appropriate, because it will remind him ~ put the thought in his mind ~ and he might not then be able to stop himself.
Yes, boys do find the strangest things funny ~ I have two boys, aged 18 & 22!
The eldest seemed very difficult when he was tiny, but is a lovely boy. Indeed, he always was; they both are. I think that his 'problems' were really mine. I had post-natal depression and, though I loved him dearly, I didn't like being a Mum at the time. I found it extremely hard.
He used to scream and be so demanding, but the thing is kids will sense if something is wrong and will test you to the limits to get the attention they crave from their Mums and to test their Mums' love to the limit.
Also, I understand that the more you tell a child not to do something, the harder he finds it not to do it. It's better to show pleasure at good behaviour than displeasure at bad behaviour. Diversion techniques are good.
If he looks about to vomit, say something like ~ oh dear, if you do that now, we won't have time to / be able to ... (choose something he likes, like going to the park, making models, etc). Always have a plan ready, that you can carry through to distract him.
Last edited by PDM; 09/12/08 07:51 AM.
