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5 year old shouting for attention?

11 replies

HelsBa · 30/09/2011 20:34

What are people's views on a 5 year shouting for you from his bedroom once he's gone to bed? Knowing that most of the time he just wants a drink which is within reach or just to tell you something.

Go, or not?

My view is to wean him off this behaviour and if he wants something desperately he'll get out of bed and come to get us. OH thinks differently...)

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FabbyChic · 30/09/2011 20:37

Maybe he feels he should not come down out of his room because he is supposed to be there. It is about what you teach him, teach him to come down rather than shout if that is what you want. However, I'd not be giving a 5 year old a drink just before bed.

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Salmotrutta · 30/09/2011 20:39

At 5 I'd think they should appreciate that shouting for stuff is a bad manners.
It's one of my pet hates TBH - DH shouting from another room "where's my claw hammer/socket set/wrench?" is guaranteed to get me aggravated to the nth degree.
Why can't people walk a few yards to speak to you??

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AgentZigzag · 30/09/2011 20:40

Blimey, if you teach him to come down every time he wants something Fabby, the OP'll get no peace all night.

Just call back at him 'It's time to go to sleep, stop shouting please' lots of times?

He sounds like he's just testing boundaries and trying it on.

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exoticfruits · 30/09/2011 20:45

At least you have him staying in bed and don't have him getting up all the time-something to be thankful for. I would just say, as you leave him, 'now have you got everything that you want because we don't like shouting'.

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GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 30/09/2011 20:48

Have you tried pre-empting the shouting out by telling him you'll be back to check on him after 5 minutes? This worked with DS2 - now I promise to go and check and he's always asleep within 5 minutes. He just likes the reassurance of me saying it.

Am aware this is not a fit-all solution

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GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 30/09/2011 20:49

Only do it once an evening and get heavy firm after that.

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HelsBa · 30/09/2011 21:04

Blimey you lot are speedy! First time I've posted on here and lots of good advice.... I'll definitely be back with more questions! :)

H

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aldiwhore · 30/09/2011 21:07

Tough love, and be patient... be nice, don't be cross, be firm.

This is my mantra. There is no quick fix, but it worked eventually with my eldest and we're now in that process with my youngest.

No means no. Go to sleep means go to sleep. etc etc etc.,

We DO give cuddles when critical mass is reached thoug, so its tough love with hugs... it took 2 weeks with our eldest. Our youngest is nearly 4 and we're hoping it won't take until he's five for him to get the message.

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AnxiousElephant · 30/09/2011 21:25

Have a list of important things that he always wants for bed and ensure they are in the room when you take him up. If he asks for other things I'd just say 'It is bedtime now, you can have them in the morning. I am not going downstairs to get them/ it now. Go to sleep. Good night. See you in the morning.' Leave the room and don't go back. Whatever happens don't eventually cave in and get it because it reinforces that if he shouts long enough he gets his own way.
I have one of these and I think some of it is just their age

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boohoobabywho · 30/09/2011 22:01

i always siad.... 'i'm going for a cuppa tea..i'll be back'
one of her mantras now.... 'do you need a cuppa tea cos i need help with this..'

its really lovely x