WIBU Son putting hand in my face

[Halfmanhalfcake]

This morning son was doing some times tables app before school. He was getting stressed by it and upset (its timed and he doesnt want to loose his ranking). I saw he was getting upset (strating to cry) so I told him gently to put it away for a while, and that we could always pick it up at another point. he started to get really upset, so i went to give him a cuddle at which point he pushed me away by my face.

I was really shocked, I walked away. DH had a huge go at son and told him if he hadnt wanted a cuddle he should just say so and that it was totally fine to not want a cuddle but he should use words rather than getting physical. Son was obviously even more upset by this point.

I had a chat with him and said that we love him and that I was sorry I had given him a cuddle when he obviously hadnt wanted one. I told him that I didnt want him to get so upset about the times tables, and that we think hes brilliant and that we dont care about whether he goes up or down in his ranking (which is why Id said to put it away in the first place). I just feel awful now and have been thinking about it all morning.

Did we deal with it ok? I feel like we were too harsh on him. I try to be respectful and fair with the kids but feel like Ive messed up.

I also would not tolerate this behavior. Doing his numbers or not.

He needs to learn that he can NOT treat you so disrespectfully ever.

Sorry I know this is not about the main point but… ‘up or down in his ranking’? What does that mean? Are his school doing some kind of public ‘top/bottom of the class’ thing? If so, that might be a contributing factor to why he’s so angry/anxious about this.

My son got like this (frustrated and upset, but not pushing) playing TTRockstars last year, he's the same age. I treated it like any other game he played on his tablet and told him that when he gets annoyed by a game it's lost its purpose of being fun and he needs a break. There were a few tears but kids really do need and thrive on boundaries.
Just because it's an educational game I think I would do the same as if it was Minecraft ect.

@ChekhovsMum yes, you can see where your classmates are placed and if they're higher than you ect. I think they do a national one aswell that loads of schools do. It's so competitive. They also have the different clothes and instruments and accessories that can only be unlocked for their character once they've passed certain levels.