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Dd screams for hours if she doesn't get her own way

734 replies

whatswiththerain · 11/09/2024 20:06

We are so exhausted with it. We put her to bed and she (dd6) will demand a drink/snack/toy/phone and scream for hours refusing to go to bed until she gets what she wants.
Of course we try not to give in but she won't stop and there gets a point where we can't take any more and give in so when we try and be stronger the next time she just fights for longer.
It's every night and bedtime is just an example, tonight she had spaghetti bolognaise and wanted cheese on top she got that and ate the cheese first and screamed and refused to eat anymore without more cheese.
If we give a consequence she'll scream and scream about it and as much as we know giving in is the problem, it's become so much of a problem that it takes over the whole evening and nighttime until we are so exhausted with her we just have to give in because we have no energy left and need to go to bed.
I know we've done this ourselves but I don't know to change it now it's done.

OP posts:
PortiasBiscuit · 11/09/2024 20:11

Far too big to behave this way, consequences and stick with them. Then shut the door and let her scream.

2Hot2Handle · 11/09/2024 20:11

Have you tried setting the rules upfront, so that she knows what they are? E.G., yes of course you can have some cheese with it, but you need to eat the whole meal, once it’s on. I appreciate you can’t anticipate everything that is coming, but at least this way, she knows why you’re holding your ground when she kicks up a fuss.

Is she the same at school?

whatswiththerain · 11/09/2024 20:11

Changeiscomingthisyear · 11/09/2024 20:09

She has learnt that screaming works. You need to tell her it won’t anymore.

Does she have supper before bed? What ia your bedtime routine?

We eat about 5 and then she has a shower and relax bedtime is around 7 she is very tired by then.

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 11/09/2024 20:10

Well, you said yourself that giving in to her has made her worse. The only way to fix it is to get your stubborn head on. REFUSE to back down. Simply refuse. Never give in. She will learn that she can kick off for a couple of hours if she wants but she STILL won't get her way so there's no point wasting the effort.

QuestionableMouse · 11/09/2024 20:10

Barring ND, I'd buy some good noise cancelling headphones, make her bedroom a safe place, and spend a few days setting some new boundaries. Offer clear choices (this or that), stick with her decision and if she screams let her crack on until she calms down then try again. Lots of praise when she's listening and working with you though!

IsitaHatOrACat · 11/09/2024 20:09

Time to sort this out before she gets bigger and stronger. What consequences is she getting for the bad behaviour? Or rewards for going to bed/eating nicely?

Changeiscomingthisyear · 11/09/2024 20:09

She has learnt that screaming works. You need to tell her it won’t anymore.

Does she have supper before bed? What ia your bedtime routine?

whatswiththerain · 11/09/2024 20:09

Overthebow · 11/09/2024 20:08

What did you do and say when she asked for more cheese?

We said no but she went on and on and screamed the house down refusing to eat it until I put more cheese on.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 11/09/2024 20:08

What did you do and say when she asked for more cheese?

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