I don't know what to do. I am headed for a nervous breakdown. My four year old is a monster. She has always been wellbehaved and pleasant, but lately, her tantrums are uncontrollable. With screaming, throwing herself on the floor. She wants attention CONSTANTLY and if I stop for one second, a tantrum starts. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have tried loving her and having mommy daughter time, explaining things to her and doing it nanny 911 style, being harsh by spanking (not hard). NOTHING WORKS. So today when it started, I put all of her toys in trash bags and made her bag them up with me and put them by the trash. I told her she was spoiled, and could not get toys until she acted deservingly. She is so upset, but I dont know what else to try to get her to mind. I am embarrassed by her behaviour, and ashamed of whatever it is we did as parents to cause this. She is not abused, she is not neglected. I think the problem is she has been spoiled as the only child/grandchild for so long, and now that she doesn't have everyone's constant attention she is acting out. And before we start up on the jealousy/regression speal....she LOVES her baby sister! Has never acted negatively towards her. I just need some ideas. Please. I love her and I want her to behave!
This may sound harsh, but the one thing I did when one of mine started throwing tantrums was to leave the room. Leave her throwing her tantrum where ever she is (in your home - I don't recommend this in public!). If she follows and starts yelling, etc. Talk to her in a normal tone of voice, don't raise your voice and tell her that when she can calm down and talk to you, then you will listen. Then walk away. Eventually she will understand that her behavior isn't getting her anywhere. It may take a while, so be prepared to be consistent. You want her to learn that bad behavior isn't going to be tolerated. Good luck!
I agree.
Quoting LizS528:
This may sound harsh, but the one thing I did when one of mine started throwing tantrums was to leave the room. Leave her throwing her tantrum where ever she is (in your home - I don't recommend this in public!). If she follows and starts yelling, etc. Talk to her in a normal tone of voice, don't raise your voice and tell her that when she can calm down and talk to you, then you will listen. Then walk away. Eventually she will understand that her behavior isn't getting her anywhere. It may take a while, so be prepared to be consistent. You want her to learn that bad behavior isn't going to be tolerated. Good luck!
CafeMom Featured Groups! Which groups do you recommend?
- ReagansMomy
on Nov. 25, 2009 at 3:05 PM