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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for help with 3 very badly behaved kids. Poor sis is at breaking point :(

38 replies

CiaoAdiosImDone · 15/08/2018 21:47

Sorry if this is not best place to ask but always seems to be good advice on AIBU boards Blush

Background - my sis has 3 ds age 9, 7 and 5. She is a single parent due to domestic abuse. Their dad had non molestation order to prevent him seeing my sis and was only allowed to see kids in contact centre.
All this then expired and courts agreed he was allowed contact on a weekend for 2 hrs.

Kids behaviour has never been good but it's now beyond ridiculous. My sis is trying to keep it together but they are so naughty she is seriously on the brink and I don't know how to help her.

It's sad for them as they've obviously been through and seen a lot and it's still ongoing now.

In the mean time does anyone have any tips on how she can get kids to be better?
They fight like animals. They're rude and obnoxious. They have no respect for each other, strangers, family, toys, her house etc. She can't complete simple tasks such as a quick trip to the shops without them completely embarrassing her as they literaly will rugby tackle each other to the floor and wrestle until they're physically pulled apart which is getting increasingly difficult with the 9yo for my small sister.. They'll bash into other people, scream and shout like a heard of howler monkeys. She has little money but what she has she'll treat them to trips to theme park, swimming etc and always ends up having to leave as they're so bad.
Threats down work. She always follows through eg. She took them to buy new school shoes and said if they were good they could get a macdonalds after. They were awful so they went without. They were pissed about it for all of 20 seconds. They've been on an xbox and tablet ban for almost a week - they don't care. It's counter productive because without stuff to do or places to go they're worse behaved than before! But how else can she punish?
I have a 2yo and a 3 month old so don't feel in the best place to be offering to take them off her hands because to be honest I can't really deal with it for even an hour so I don't know how she's getting by day to day!
But even if I took them for an hour it won't solve it long term.
Worth adding middle son (age 7) is query SN for autism. He has very bad ticks, laughs hysterically constantly (like a nervous thing) and has to be bashing something all the time but he is also incredibly bright.
Please help!

OP posts:
quizqueen · 15/08/2018 22:27

Also, don't have junk food in the house at all. Water and fruit if they are hungry between meals ( wholesome meals)

CiaoAdiosImDone · 15/08/2018 22:31

Yes family centre nearby. I will call them tomorrow to ask if they could help at all.

No hv involvement anymore. And unfortunately yes they do want to see their father - he feeds them on haribo and mcds, takes them on days out, doesn't seem phased by their behaviour one bit so doesn't lose it with them. He's bought them pets at his house, takes them to bbqs with his mates and their kids. Buys them loads of stuff and slates my sis to them

Unfortunately when she chose to walk away finally she lost all of her friends (as they were all his friends and family). Despite many of them knowing what was going on and many even witnessing it more shockingly, they all stayed more on his side to keep the friendshop group together.

She is very isolated.

Just when she feels she's having a break through with their behaviour they spend 2 hours back with him and they come home like a pack of wild animals again

OP posts:
CiaoAdiosImDone · 15/08/2018 22:32

Ajas that's great I've never heard of that. Will look into it now. Thanks :)

OP posts:
Cliveybaby · 15/08/2018 22:33

Aw your poor sister! I have no kids but was a scout leader for years so know what a "pack" of boys can be like!
I'd second the ideas of divide and conquer, if they've had a hard time they may need to talk through it with their mum to process.
Structure isn't easy to implement but I'm a believer that kids with routine and some rules feel more secure.
... and definitely more exercise! This doesn't have to cost much, if they have a garden just a football? Cones and hoops etc and get them to build an obstacle course? Playing it?

LIZS · 15/08/2018 22:33

She should still have access to a hv with younger 2. Try gp surgery for a contact.

cestlavielife · 15/08/2018 23:24

She needs to go to gp
Explain the situation
Get referred to family support / family therapist/ counsellor for her / group for separated and divorced / etc.

redcaryellowcar · 16/08/2018 06:54

So hard for her and difficult to advise without seeing the whole picture but my starting point would be (as pp said) cut their diet down to healthy stuff only reduce or eliminate sugar (no sweets, chocolate, especially with colourings etc) just water or milk to drink, and where possible whole grains eg whole wheat pasta, whole meal or best of both bread, and some protein at each meal.
If they like and are good at swimming could she take them mort days, maybe in the morning, which might allow for a bit of structure to the day. I'd try to work in some one to one as suggested, and try to take them outside as much as possible. I read a couple of years ago that children needed to be outside for 3-4 hours a day, so that was my aim that summer holiday and it really helped my sanity.

Movablefeast · 16/08/2018 07:03

Are there any resources she can access through her uni? Student parents often have support, has she asked the student union?

MrsRedFly · 16/08/2018 08:03

I'm afraid that Home-Start will only help if there is a child under 5 in the family - but there might be other organisations.

CherryPavlova · 16/08/2018 08:16

Rewards for good behaviour - not bribery but spontaneous good acts recognised.
Don’t get into spiral of negativity.
Engage actively with them - not x box but outdoors, active, high energy stuff. Rugby club, scouts/beavers, walking and treasure hunts, swimming, park run. Have a nice, structured programme of activity and zero tolerance of playfighting. It isn’t playful and always degenerates. Do softer stuff too baking, art, glueing and sticking, Reading.
Get them doing chores.
Firm boundaries, known sanctions, persistence.

There may be parenting courses locally to her. Social services help desk would know.

HouseOfSix · 16/08/2018 09:36

The visits to her ex don't sound like they are helping matters at all. Would it work to send just one or two DC at a time to the exP on rotation? That would cut down on them coming back like a pack of feral dogs all hyped up, and would also allow a bit of quieter time with the one/two left with her.

Alternatively could she agree with her ex that he take them swimming? Easier said than done as he sounds like a nightmare.

HouseOfSix · 16/08/2018 09:37

Oh also maybe Geocaching to get them outdoors?

cestlavielife · 16/08/2018 14:43

She needs more help.than taking them out..they have all been thru domestic abuse. She needs to.get gp to refer to.family therapist /psychologist to work with them.
In meantime.focus as was said On a positive atmosphere.
No one thrives on a regime of.no no no and punishments Ignore the rough and tumble. Praise and positive reinforcement. Ask school.for support. Buy her the book "how to.talk so.kids will listen and listen so kids will talk"
The d'cs have been.thru trauma too and dealing with separation etc
Listen to.what they saying with their behaviour

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