I got a call from my daughter’s teacher about being disrespectful in the middle of day. She’s in first grade and has not been acting herself. She’s even being disrespectful at home and I’ve disciplined her multiple ways and nothing is working… I just need advice on how to get my 6.5 year old to be kind and listen to the ones around her.
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Ask her if she’s being bullied. I know my kids, after being around certain other kids, will start being jerks for a few… but I know the meanness didn’t start until school started and kids started bullying them. It’s a comment I hear from my kids every day. They are 5 and 6. It could be your kids way of activating her defense mechanism to keep everyone away?
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Don’t worry about school, that’s their problem. Just always back your kiddo and never side with the school. And, do you call them on the weekend when you have issues at home? Why are they calling you? They have her the majority of the day, more influence and time than you have on your own child.
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Practice kindness in front of her, go out and do some pay it forward things in the community. See if there’s something you & get can help with together at a food bank!… be strict when she doesn’t display these things, such as take away electronics. If it gets worse see a professional.
I would just ask my 7 year old. But we talk a lot about everything. The more you open up with your kid they will open up to you. For example you had a bad day and she can sense it. Just sit her down and explain why your feeling that way and have a conversation about your day. Make it a nightly thing. She won’t learn to open up around people who she doesn’t see open up when they are having issues.
I taught parenting skills for 8 years. One of the best ways to deal with this may be active listening. It certainly helped me with my kids. Do not sit down with her and say “we need to talk”. Get her to help you do something. With my kids it was always dog walking, washing and drying the dishes or preparing a meal. It’s easier for kids to talk to their parents in parallel, beside them, not face to face. Even adults find face to face hard. Try going for a walk and talk. Tell her you are worried about her and what is behind her behaviour. Emphasise that you love her and always will no matter what she does or says. Then listen. Don’t jump in and respond, let her talk. You can ask her to clarify things, but let her speak. It’s helpful to say “I’m not sure what you mean by…” “So what I’m hearing is… Is that right?” Demonstrate that you are taking in what she is saying. It’s hard for kids to understand their own feelings, let alone talk about them. Ask her what, if anything, you can do to help her cope better and act on it. Most of the parents I worked with found it a helpful skill to learn. Good luck.
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Stop disciplining and start listening. If she was a kind respectful kid before what’s changed that? Is her teacher being unfair or taken a dislike to her? And now you’re doing the same and wondering why she acting up at home?
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She’s angry about something. Have a talk with her and listen. If not, would suggest play therapy
Honestly probably coming from the public school kids…Kids go into public school and start acting like kids around them.
There’s something behind the behavior,like others have said,get her to open up.Kids don’t misbehave for no reason.
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Cryons and paper ask her to draw picture of what bothering her .children tell story like this .just give her more hugs and praise .guve her a point chart and a mummy day .she feeling lost .and want time to be special …try it works .little jobs at home and let her tell you in her own time what up .nagging does not work .attension works remember she a girl .they love attension
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Children are easily influenced!!! I watch kids in my class all the time go from quiet sweet kids to picking up bad habits daily from others… communication is the key remind her how important it is to make good choices and make sure to point out good behavior as well as bad… ask the teacher to move her as well and see if it helps! Get to know who she’s around
It’s a stressful time. Sit her down for a conversation. Listen to her. Explain how her bad behavior will only end in tears. Help her.