What have you had the hardest time teaching your child, behavior-wise?

United States
December 13, 2006 11:27am CST
I have one child that I can't seem to teach not to interrupt no matter what I try. The other one I'm having trouble teaching how to be angry with out screaming and stomping away (she does this even over minor frustrations). I'm wondering what other people have trouble with. Let's help each other out with ideas.
1 response
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
13 Dec 06
So you have a screaming, stomper too huh? Mine is 10 years old and we have been having issues with this on a daily basis. In my case I think the problem is that she has not developed her organizational skills and tends to get frustrated when it takes her too long to do something. There have been several occasions where she has had to walk nicely up and down the stairs 50 times just to prove to me it can be done without stomping. If you slam the door you can open and shut it 50-100 times so I can be sure you know how to do it properly. Many times this child just needs someone to scoop her up in their arms and tell her not to sweat the small stuff. I am amazed at the pressure and homework these children are facing in fifth grade. As for the interrupting, I do not attend to the needs of someone who interrupts. My children know if you interrupt me it had better be because I need to call the fire department. Otherwise, you might have to wait in your room until it is your turn to talk. The trick here is to never forget to give them a turn to talk. If you do that they will never quit interrupting you because they will be afraid you are just putting them off. What kinds of methods do you use?
• United States
13 Dec 06
Truthfully, I haven't tried any consistent method of stopping either of these behaviors because I hadn't found one that I really felt like was the right choice. I like your ideas though. I use similar methods for other behaviors. I've had my daughter put her shoes in her closet several times so that she is sure to know how they all fit nicely in there (and not all over the floor) and then I take them out so she can try again and again and again...It makes parenting more fun when you can realize that you're teaching them something with your responses and not just being mean.