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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to shout/scream at DS(10) that he's a "spoilt, horrible brat" twice in last 24 hours

189 replies

Tablelegtiger · 24/04/2017 20:51

Ok, I know IABU. Its not good parenting and a horrible thing to do and i now feel really awful but just don't know what to do with him. I pulled his hair in anger and frustration yesterday. What do you do when you love a DC very much but you are starting to hate the way they behave? His behaviour is making me feel v angry of late (and DH), too much to go through here but just being a horrible kid really. Lying, being really ungrateful for everything we do for him, being sarcastic and cheeky, doing sweet FA to contribute to household helping etc. I was expecting some of this at 17 but not 10. We've tried rewards for good behaviour, incentives etc. Its really making me feel down and a shit parent and I can't bear the thought that this is the start of a downhill relationship with him and the lovely little boy we had is slipping away. We have another younger DC who is witnessing this too and often suffers consequences (eg being made late for school due to morning 'episodes' with his brother).

OP posts:
Mombie2016 · 25/04/2017 15:00

No she doesn't recognise it as wrong because she is blaming and minimising.

claraschu · 25/04/2017 15:04

Mombie the abuse you suffered is horrible and nothing like what the OP is describing. OP is remorseful, apologised to her son, and is looking for help.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 25/04/2017 15:05

Atenco after the 3rd occasion (that she's admitted to).
I thought it was disgusting behaviour when I thought it was once but it's not. The OP won't speak to the school about it because she knows it's fucking disgusting to act like it but cares more about 'what the new neighbourhood and school think' over the welfare of her son.
the dad is just as bad for allowing it to happen for a 3rd time.
This is exactly how it begins. I have been there. Do you not think that my dad felt remorseful and apologised the first, second, third or forth time!? Just the remorse doesn't last. As shown in this case by the OP as it's happened at least 3 times.

Blimey01 · 25/04/2017 15:06

Good luck OP. I think you've been really honest posting this. X

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 25/04/2017 15:09

hey OP, I had a mini crisis with my own DS recently

I basically drafted an agreement that had behaviours for both of us, I also reviewed the sings of anger management in children and I got him to agree/disagree

it really helped, PM will email it if that helps?

Funnyfarmer · 25/04/2017 15:12

I'm going back to the fact that you recently moved. We had a massive move away from everything and everyone we knew. I was about the same age as your ds. It wasn't so bad for me. But it was really hard on my older db's. But also for my parents. Have you moved away from your friends op? Where is your outlet? Who do you rant too when things are getting though? Who wipes your tears? Gets pissed with you and puts the world to rights? Sometimes people don't need counciling and therapy. Just friends

Annahibiscuits · 25/04/2017 15:20

I smacked my 5 year old round the face once OP

As a result, I;

Changed jobs
Reduced my hours at work
Do less house work and more sleeping
Increased exercise/started hobby
Changed dc school
Started taking ADs

Tablelegtiger · 26/04/2017 12:04

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your mother Mombie but you don't know me or my family and you are making horrid, inaccurate, assumptions about me based on hardly any information. I don't LIKE what I have done (you use that word for your mother). I have done it (ie pulled DS hair) 3 times in 10 years of being a mother. Its not a weekly occurance. I 100% know and accept that 3 times is 3 times too many and I feel totally shit about doing that and myself as a parent, I have apologised, discussed etc with my DS and promised him it will never happen again and that it was completly wrong of me. It will never be happening again and I am activily taking steps to ensure that. I am absolutely trying my best and I love my DS more than words can say and unless they are bloody good little actors/lyers they love me very much too. Pouring the vitriol you understandably feel towards your mother out on me is really unfair and not helpful to me, my DC, or I suspect, you.

OP posts:
AmysTiara · 26/04/2017 12:10

You pull your sons hair but only 3 times in 10 years so it's not that bad Shock

Ffs go and get some parenting classes Nd take a long hard look at yourself. You are minimising here.

AsthmaQ · 26/04/2017 12:19

Amys In fairness to the OP she doesn't use the word "only".

She says she is making steps to seek support in real life, perhaps don't be a fucking dick when she's come on here, asked for help, taken in the responses and is actually coming across as someone who wants to get help.

Ranting and raving over an internet board is not helpful and is possibly going to push her away from accessing services.

Shoegirly · 26/04/2017 12:29

Op I am not going to judge you as you know what you did was wrong. I lost it with my 7 year old a few weeks ago and slapped him across face.
Before I get a zillion posters telling me I am the worst mother in the world,I am suffering from severe depression at the moment and trying to break free from an abusive marriage. I know my behaviour was unacceptable but sometimes parebts are pushed to their limits.
Op I hope you act on some of the sensible advice on here and I wish you all the best.

steppemum · 26/04/2017 12:33

I think you have been very honest, I think there are a lot of perfect mothers on mn at times.

I think the pre teen age is sometimes harder than the teen stage.
I have 3, aged 14, 12 and 9. The older 2 went through a phase of this and the youngest one is now going through it.

First, change you expectation, no, he is not going to be grateful for anything you do for him, because kids aren't. But, he can be expected to say thank you and not to be entitled about it.

Things I have done -
sit them down and talk about respect, I will respect you need to get driven to football, but you have to repsect my need not to be spoken to like that.
Point out that we all live in this house, and all pull our weight. Everyone does their share. No chores = no x box/pocket money/dinner!

Don't engage if they are shouting/stropping/ being rude. Just become broken record - I can't hear you until you stop shouting/being rude.

Expect backlash form standing your boundaries, but don't rise to it. So - no xbox because your chores aren't done, cue stroppy temper all over house, I go on cooking dinner/reading paper and ignore.

Some selective hearing. When they are doing the above (stropping over a boundary enforcement) I ifnore what is being said and pretend I didn't hear.

Some zero tolerance points, choose carefully and make them absolutes. Ds told me to F off this week, as he was cross over his wi-fi being turned off. Immediate screens ban, he knows that, he didn't even complain about it, and after an hour he came and apologised, and said he deserved the screen ban (which is a massive deal for him) Swearing at me is a zero tolerance point, as is hitting siblings, and a couple of other things, including massive attitude.

BUT with a 10 year old, in between all of this, you really really need to get some love in. (yes I know you do with teens too)
Schedule special ds and me time, this should never be taken away for punishment. With ds, as the oldest, friday night time became our time, dh put girls to bed and we had the lounge, and watched Dr Who together, (on catch up) snuggled on sofa with hot chocolate mugs. This was really effective. He calmed down a lot and talked to me a lot too.

And, easier said than done - always stay calm and reasonable, the broken record thign is very effective, and helps you to stay calm. It just means don't react to all the stuff being said, but repeat your demand - ds, I know you don't want to come off the computer, but you need to lay the table now. ds turn the computer off and come and lay the table. Ds I am not interested in the youtube video, you need to come to the table, etc etc.

And have a bottom, line, I am so angry I coudl hit him, then walk away, no matter what, leave the room, go into your bedroom, shut the door and breathe. Count to ten. If he tries to follow you in, shut the door and lean on it/lock it, so he can't come into your bedroom and you are physically seperate, until you have calmed down.

Tablelegtiger · 26/04/2017 12:33

Amy - I said the 3 x in 10 years thing in response to Mombio comparing me to what sounded like regular abuse from her mother over her lifetime. And it shoudl be obvious from what I've wrnuitten that I don't mean "only 3 times so thats ok". If you can't be bothered/don't have time to read the things I've already said , please don't bother posting shit towards me.

OP posts:
minionsrule · 26/04/2017 12:43

OP not RTFT (supposed to be working!) but if he is 10 I suspect Year 6? If so the description of his attitude you have given is exactly how my DS was last year - we called it Year 6 syndrome and it is very common!! I think it is the stress of SATS combined with the feeling of superiority cos they are top of Primary - honestly DS was a 'mare and even couldn't be arsed with the sports he loved that much.
He is in Y7 now and wow what a transformation - I have my lovely boy back (well at least for now anyway!).
Just stay calm with him, don't really don't rise to it and it too shall pass. Relative consequences so he doesn't think he can get away with it but in a calm way

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