Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How strict are you with your kids?

256 replies

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 09:24

I think I need to be stricter with my daughter, who is just turning seven. She’s become a brat and is becoming difficult to live with. I just feel like we’re constantly arguing and it’s making everyone in the house miserable.
We argue about food, chores, what we’re doing today, going to school, what she’s doing with her clothes and it’s exhausting. She literally wakes me up to start an argument and it just sets me I to a bad mood everyday and my partner too when he’s got to go to work.

She’s being so difficult and I don’t want her to feel miserable but at the same time we’re all miserable atm!

Aibu to ask how strict you are and how you manage things in the home between everyone?

OP posts:
Neverrains · 08/08/2021 11:23

Does she get plenty of fresh air and exercise?

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 11:25

Yes she’s out a lot. Most of her class live on our quiet street and they play out pretty much all day everyday. We also try and get out and do stuff most days which she moans about. She doesn’t want to leave me but also doesn’t seem to want to do anything with me… she’s exactly like I was 😩

OP posts:
luciasanta · 08/08/2021 11:32

@Kiduknot

About that age we started locking horns more. Eventually I stepped back, love bombed her, gave her some more privileges as she is now more “grown up”, but at the same time enforced the boundaries that were set in stone. The love bombing was crucial as we had got into a viscous circle of bad behaviour/negativity. It worked.
Ahh this sounds like exactly what I'd need to do with my younger one- any chance you could say in a bit more detail what this looks like in practice? (Was just following the thread as exactly in the same boat with my 7yo OP Flowers)
luciasanta · 08/08/2021 11:32

hide the dunkers in a box marked spinach

GrinGrinGrin

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 08/08/2021 11:36

Is your DP her father?

You have a new baby in the way and you say you moved house six months ago.

That's quite a lot of change for a seven-year old to get her head around. Maybe she's playing up because she's worried about being 'upstaged/ by the new baby.

When you moved, did you change areas? Does she still have the same group of friends?

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 08/08/2021 11:37

I don't know what to suggest, I have one like that and it's exhausting.
he's a teenager and calls me "mine führer" when I insist he takes out the bins or empties the dishwasher..

he was a fucking nightmare from the time he was about 2.
he's the proverbial horse you can take to the river but can't make him drink, even if he's thirsty he'll refuse it because he's stubborn and strong-willed and wants to win every fucking argument like it's a Olympic event🙄

I hope that it's just a phase for your DD and that she's acting out because you are pg and she feels insecure.
But if you have a umm let's say spirited child then the very best of luck to you because she'll never change and it's best if you let her be in control of the things she can handle.

Jellycatspyjamas · 08/08/2021 11:37

She’s at an age where cognitively she’s recognises people as separate from herself, and that she can’t control everything. She may see on tv or online or hear from friends that parents split up, people die etc. It’s a developmental stage - talking openly about her worries (instead of “oh no, don’t be silly” approach that some parents take) can be helpful so “yes sometimes parents do split up but we’ll do everything we can to stop that from happening” or “sometimes babies and children do get ill and die, but we make sure you’re safe and healthy, and we go to the doctors when you’re poorly to try and stop that from happening”. She’s getting older and will have “big” questions, and needs age appropriate explanations. My two know, for example, what would happen if god forbid something happened to us, they asked and were worried so we explained it’s something we’ve had to think about to make sure they were safe and cared for but that we take care of our health to be around for them as long as possible.

Apeirogon · 08/08/2021 11:41

I agree with @Jellycatspyjamas about acknowledging her worries even if they seem silly and groundless to you.

hiredandsqueak · 08/08/2021 11:41

Mine are adults now, I would say that I wasn't very strict compared to how strict my parents were with me. My dc would say that in comparison with their peers' parents I was very strict.
I expected that when I spoke they listened and when I told them they needed to do something they did it and I wouldn't put up with rudeness.
I didn't shout or smack but they all knew there would be consequences should they not meet my expectations.
I'd discuss at length the error of their ways which my son in particular hated. He'd ask why I didn't just get mad "like normal parents" Grin His friends thought he had it easy because I'd only speak about where he'd gone wrong but ds said he'd have rather have got a slap.
When they were small I'd have tedious tasks like pairing socks, dusting skirting boards that they would have to do as a consequence. As they got older I'd dock pocket money, give extra chores and ground them.
Mine were never that difficult tbh I think that's down to good luck and easygoing personalities though rather than my parenting style.

BizzyIzzyfruitpie · 08/08/2021 11:41

I’m pretty strict. Mine are teenagers. I don’t tolerate them being rude or disrespectful but encourage them to have their own opinions. They’re good kids and don’t give me any trouble (hopefully haven’t spoken too soon!).

Honestly you shouldn’t be arguing with a child that age. You’re the parent it’s that simple.

Embracelife · 08/08/2021 11:44

@SheABitSpicyToday

We cuddle a lot. And every night when she goes to bed we talk about any worries we have. She’s genuinely a lovely girl, it’s just in the past 6 months since we moved she’s been a nightmare which I understand but it’s getting old now. She misses her friends which I understand but she also has lots of new friends here and we see her old friends often.
You moved You are pregnant

So two big events in oast months she may be struggling with
Is the same father or new relationship for you?

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 11:44

No husband isn’t her dad but is the only dad she’s ever known. I know he’s been really struggling with her lately which isn’t helping either. She’s going on holiday with my dad soon, and I think the break from eachother will be good for all of us.

OP posts:
Bumpsadaisie · 08/08/2021 11:49

@SheABitSpicyToday

She is anxious about things but I have no idea where these worries have come from. We’ve been reassuring her and taking to her daily about things. She’s anxious that me and my husband are going to split up, she’s worried that if she leaves me I’m going to get sick and she’s worried the baby is going to die. I have no idea where this has all come from.
It's good she can talk to you. I guess there will also be worries she feels but can't articulate.

Particularity - the fear that you will love the baby more than her. The fear that she might feel hateful feelings towards the baby and she mustn't express those or it will be catastrophic. Maybe it will come true! (And she simultaneously loves the baby greatly and is concerned for him!) Maybe she thinks you would be furious with her for feeling that.

All totally normal! She probably doesn't even know she feels it but all children do I think.

icedcoffees · 08/08/2021 11:50

@SheABitSpicyToday

She is anxious about things but I have no idea where these worries have come from. We’ve been reassuring her and taking to her daily about things. She’s anxious that me and my husband are going to split up, she’s worried that if she leaves me I’m going to get sick and she’s worried the baby is going to die. I have no idea where this has all come from.
Is your partner her dad?

The whole house move, new area thing makes me think that he's not, which would explain her anxiety and fear.

Her whole world has been tipped upside down, not to mention everything that's happened with Coronavirus.

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 12:08

No he’s not her dad.

OP posts:
SimonJT · 08/08/2021 12:16

@SheABitSpicyToday

No husband isn’t her dad but is the only dad she’s ever known. I know he’s been really struggling with her lately which isn’t helping either. She’s going on holiday with my dad soon, and I think the break from eachother will be good for all of us.
It probably won’t, shes living somewhere new, she has a new sibling on the way, she thinks you’re going to die and her Dads going to leave. A break may be a relief for you, but for her it will only reinforce her anxieties of abandonment and loss.
SimonJT · 08/08/2021 12:19

@SheABitSpicyToday

She hasn’t had the switch for about a month now as she keeps getting more time added onto not being allowed it. I want to get a good balance of being stricter with her but not too authoritative as my husband is a lot stricter than I am.
She needs an insentive to behave. If she hasn’t had her switch in a month then she knows she likely won’t get it back, so why bother trying to behave?
Dingdong99 · 08/08/2021 12:19

Not about being strict but something I have found makes a big difference with my kids is quality time with each of them every day

Try spending 10-15 mins every day doing something with her, just the two of you, no distractions (eg phone, cooking, clearing up), where she has chosen the activity and gets to direct what you do

That was she has your undivided and uninterrupted attention

Try it, could make a real change in her

50ShadesOfCatholic · 08/08/2021 12:20

She's trying to assert control because she's feeling insecure.

Give her choices. Breakfast is AB or C
clothes today are XY or Z
Bedtime is 7.30
Stay up late on Friday or Saturday, her choice
Let her choose what's for dinner once a week.
In this way she has the security of knowing what to expect but also some sense of control.

And remember that all behaviour in children is communication, she's trying to express something to you but she is limited with words for her feelings.

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 12:24

But we already do all of these things. She gets choices, in a limited capacity. We do things together all the time during the day and sometimes movie nights in the evenings.

OP posts:
nanbread · 08/08/2021 12:24

Poor girl sounds like she's really struggling.

All behaviour is communication, what is she trying to communicate to you?

This is the hard bit about parenting, working that out and then helping them to solve it.

In the meantime set limits with empathy and use natural consequences instead of getting into fights with things like the clothes: if she goes out and is too hot / too cold she'll learn from that.

nanbread · 08/08/2021 12:25

@SheABitSpicyToday

But we already do all of these things. She gets choices, in a limited capacity. We do things together all the time during the day and sometimes movie nights in the evenings.
What do you do with her, and how does she act while you're doing it?
Jellycatspyjamas · 08/08/2021 12:29

I agree with @SimonJT, she’s at an age where she won’t now link the removal of the switch with her behaviour, I’d reinstate it with appropriate limits and find other ways to set behavioural limits and discipline.

SheABitSpicyToday · 08/08/2021 12:30

I ask her what she wants to do usually. So far this holiday we’ve done the cinema, three princess days (nails, face masks, hair etc), we’ve been to the aquarium, we’ve been to see the ponies up in the moors, we’ve been to hometown to see her friends/attend birthdays, we’ve been swimming, we’ve been out for dinner and lunches. Husband works long hours as a chef so isn’t around much but when he is they’ve done baking, they’ve been fishing, we’ve all been to the beach etc. she’s also had time to play with her friends. She pretty much wants for nothing and has a really great life. She’s very excited to go on holiday with my dad and his kids (similar ages) in a few weeks.

OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 08/08/2021 12:31

It sounds like she rebels strongly against being "told"

Therefore you need to tell her without telling her.

And don't engage in arguments.

Don't tell her what to wear. If she wears a dress and no jumper on a cold day she gets cold.

Vide versa if she dresses for winter on a hot day.

If she spills drinks on her bedding she strips it for wash. If she cuts it it's cut up.

Only 2 choices for breakfast. "Cereal or toast". If she says "something else".

Just say the choice is cereal or toast and I'll sort it when you come and tell me what you want - then walk away.

Complete demand avoidance to this extreme is about control and often based around anxiety.

You cannot change the behaviour without Adressing the route cause .

You need to find what she gets out of destroying her stuff, arguing or doing things to push your buttons - then give her that positively.

Pick a battle at a time - start with breakfast. Then once that's stopped being a battle start with something else.

Ignore things like the shorts. As much as it goes against what your comfy with it's another thing she can do to get your attention. Often ignoring attention seeking behaviour is the route to it stopping. What's the point of it gets no reaction?

If she does things like cut her bedding or throw drinks on it "that's a shame for you. You'll have a wet bed this evening/ that may be uncomfortable to sleep on".

Let her make the choices to behave well because she doesn't like the consequences.

Right now if she destroys stuff she gets to choose new. Where's the deterrent in that?