What J appears to learn in school.

Hi Ani!I'm still around. Just too busy to contribute lately. Also, my dad unexpected passed away on Xmas Eve, and I've been "out of it" for a while now. Things are returning to normal, and I hope to be checking in more frequently.When you think you're all alone out there in the crazy world of parenting, you read a post like yours and realize you are not. H is being negatively influenced by his friends at school, too. And it baffles and saddens me.He is now:- overly aggressive with his little brother when he touches his stuff- a smart aleck who doesn't know the difference between a serious conversation and a casual one- whiny- defiant- moody to the point that I think I'm living with a teenage girl- a speed demon who rushes through school work to get it over with and to get on to finding a friend (any friend) to spend time withHe's actually grounded today after school for his attitude yesterday. Suprise! He spent 2 hours after school running around in the snow playing army with the other boys. By bedtime he was an angel, sitting on his bed reading, asking me questions about what states he's visited and the Civil War, cuddling his stuffed animals. In other words, the sweet little boy I love.I'm reading an amazing book called "Boys Adrift". I'm not that far into it yet, but what I have read so far explains alot. I don't have time to get into it right now, but I can add details later. The main theory is that boys are basically competitive creatures and that all of their behavior stems from conflict and competition. It makes sense to me.Glad to know I'm not alone!Your absent friend, Donna

Okay, sorry to tell you this... it has less to do with school and more to do with just the ages of your boys. Whether home schooled, private school or public school, they pretty much ALL go through this. Your job is to stand firm and not let them get away with it. They are asserting thier independence now, but you need to let them know that as much as independence is valued, submitting to authority is a requirement both now and later. A book I have been reading is called "Parenting By THE Book" by John Rosemond. When you get tired of all the new touchy, feely post-modern psycho-babble parenting" (his term) techniques that are backfiring on you, and you want to get back to basics, this is a good read.

My Someone....so glad to hear from you and to hear that life is normal....lol Mrsred.....I have to believe that its just growing up with boys. I grew up with a sister so having 2 boys is rather out the box.....but would not change it for anything.....the fights, the attitudes, the not listening and so many other things we all deal with. I think it keeps my life interesting and certainly not boring....lol I love every moment....the good and the bad!!

My 6 year old has turned into the worlds biggest smart aleck. I must say about 100 times a day "Quit with the smart mouth". UGH!!!! It seemed to have started around the time he began school, but it probably has less to do with his classroom and more to do with him being a little more independant and away from me for greater amounts of the day. My someone - I can TOTALLY relate to the "speed demon" rushing thru the school work...My son's teacher always makes sure to have the kids decide on whether or not they have done their "best kindergarden work". Well, my son had homework one day that he just barreled through and it was awful! I knew he wouldn't listen to me, so I wrote a note to his teacher and asked her to reassign the work for him (it was basically coloring a few items, cutting them and putting on a different page). Well, he came home with the repeat assignment and that ended his "speed demon" days - lol.

I can chime in having 7 boys.. Right around that 5-7 age they are developing quickly. They are getting stimulated and adjusted to the world around them. they are in that "in-between" stage of constantly being at Mom's side - being dependant. And fighting to find their way among the pack striving for more independance. What's important is that you continue with your discipline and not let them get away with these types of behaviors. There are always consequences for everything.. Extra chores, paragraph writing, take away tv or other elctronics, no going outside and so on. Very important that you remain consistant and follow through on ultimatums. Mean what you say and follow through! Ive learned the hard way and still struggle some days. We homeschool so its not just a "school thing"..

I am so sorry to hear you've been having a difficult time lately. Please feel free to PM me if you need me.I am doing my best to be consistent with him. He is learning the hard way that he needs to obey. He has lost the priveledge to play with his friends in the neighborhood (which is HUGE to him, so works very nicely right now). He has lost computer time, tv time, which is limitied anyway. He also knows he will start losing toys and taking them away for a day or 2 doesn't cut it with him, so when he loses a toy, it's gone for good.