I am new here and I was hoping I might get some advice. My daughter is 5yrs old. She has always been independent and loving. Lately, she has started to behave differently. First, she likes to play at school. At first it was common things such as fidgeting, talking, etc. Lately, she has started copying another kids behavior (bad behavior, bad words, disrespectful). Least to say this has landed her in the office a couple of times now. Second, my daughter acts as if she has no control or does not care about the consequences of her behavior. As long as she does what she wants she has no other worries. At least till she has been caught. Then she promises and negotiates on her punishment. Only to repeat the same behavior the first chance she gets.
Me and my wife are trying to find solutions. We have recently come to the realization that my daughter is a strong willed child and have started reading up on different ways to discipline and deal with her. I am currently at a cross roads though. It seems no matter how much we talk or how long our daughter loses privileges, she still wants to do as she pleases. She tells us that she can't help it, that she just wants to have fun, or that she didn't think she would get caught. I am really looking for some more suggestions on where to go from here. I am a bit frustrated and really want to enjoy my little girl again. I do realize that she will push her boundaries as she grows up, but when she has pushed and is punished, she goes right back to pushing. Current Punishments include time outs, loss of privileges (i.e. TV time), in the room for the remainder of the day, and as last resort corporal punishment. (To explain, the corporal punishment is very seldom used. I came from a home of free flowing spankings as did my wife. We both feel we have many other options before getting to that point. That option is a very last resort.)
Learning that my child has a strong will and thus it is in her nature to push the limits, has been a new experience. I am learning to give closed ended statements such as "clean up your room please before you do anything else." Putting expectations with my request. My biggest concern is the lack of care she has for the rules either at home or school. How do I change this with out excessive punishment?
I have browsed this site and have seen wonderful advice given. I definitely realize that my child's behavior pales in comparison to other behaviors, but for my family this has been a new hurdle we find ourselves not very well prepared for. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Me and my wife are trying to find solutions. We have recently come to the realization that my daughter is a strong willed child and have started reading up on different ways to discipline and deal with her. I am currently at a cross roads though. It seems no matter how much we talk or how long our daughter loses privileges, she still wants to do as she pleases. She tells us that she can't help it, that she just wants to have fun, or that she didn't think she would get caught. I am really looking for some more suggestions on where to go from here. I am a bit frustrated and really want to enjoy my little girl again. I do realize that she will push her boundaries as she grows up, but when she has pushed and is punished, she goes right back to pushing. Current Punishments include time outs, loss of privileges (i.e. TV time), in the room for the remainder of the day, and as last resort corporal punishment. (To explain, the corporal punishment is very seldom used. I came from a home of free flowing spankings as did my wife. We both feel we have many other options before getting to that point. That option is a very last resort.)
Learning that my child has a strong will and thus it is in her nature to push the limits, has been a new experience. I am learning to give closed ended statements such as "clean up your room please before you do anything else." Putting expectations with my request. My biggest concern is the lack of care she has for the rules either at home or school. How do I change this with out excessive punishment?
I have browsed this site and have seen wonderful advice given. I definitely realize that my child's behavior pales in comparison to other behaviors, but for my family this has been a new hurdle we find ourselves not very well prepared for. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.