How to deal with disappointment and crying

[Elysium]

My friend's 7 year old boy cries whenever he is thwarted and when he loses in games - it is always someone else's fault - they are lying, cheating etc. It has got so bad that even in football games the adult referee won't tell him off for fear of the tantrum which will follow. No-one knows what to do with him when this happens - he is also unable to cope with it. I am worried that he won't get out of the cycle and will be branded a cry baby and be left out by other children. He also seems to be unable to accept failure e.g. pretending that he has won even when he hasn't and this again doesn't seem healthy as life is full of disappointment and failures! He is an only child. Discipline is also a bit of a problem as he always gets his own way in the end and knows it. Any ideas which I can tactfully suggest?

[twiglett]

message withdrawn

[Elysium]

Thanks Twiglett - pretty much what I thought - funny thing is he behaves better for me so you are probably right!