Are all 6 year olds horrible?

[shuckleberryfinn]

I mean it can't be just mine?

He's nearly 7 now and has reverted to some awesome toddler tantrums. Full on throwing himself at the floor kicking and screaming with the odd bit of headbutting floors thrown in. Room trashing, shouting and crying plus shouts of "it's not fair". It's almost funny to see my hugely tall gangly son throwing himself around like this.

My husband has just caught him trying to take change out of my shrap jar. To cut a long story short this tantrum has ended him up in bed early with no TV and no playing out tomorrow (he said his friend told him to get money) I suspect its par for the course, my husband is convinced he's abnormal. Reassure me please.

I deserve wine for dealing with this don't I?

Well I went to tuck him in and in his sleep he whispered "shut up" surprised my giggling didnt wake him. This morning I came downstairs (he'd beat me, obv had tv withdrawal) and the first words out of his mouth were "I still hate you" in a conversational tone followed by random morning chat about sandwiches. He's been pretty human all day. It's like he saves it all up and spews it out at random.

I am so glad I read this thread. My ds is only 5.5 and has just started school (Scotland). He can be truly awful at the moment. I felt quite emotional and sad about him going to school, but will admit the house is quieter and calmer (I have dd aged 2).

I have been in tears a few times recently with the rudeness, back answering and turning of the smallest things into a huge bloody battle. I absolutely understand that starting school will be having an impact on him but there is only so far my understanding and patience will go. I love him, god I do, but I will admit sometimes I don't like him.

I have on many occasions felt guilty or like I have gone wrong and am raising a sullen, miserable terror! It is so hard isn't it? I console myself with the fact that he really does have a beautiful heart and so many lovely points. I think I am his punch bag sometimes, he knows it is safe to take out the negativity on me - I will still love him.

And that is the point I think. I didn't have unconditional love as a child and it has taken many years for me to get over that. I think whilst we don't like to admit it, it is normal to not like our children at times (heck they really won't like us on many occasions!) but if there is something basically right and loving in the relationship, they will be okay.

I know the difference. It is not because my parents didn't like my bad behaviour or my more difficult characteristics that hurt so much, it is that they expected perfection and thus didn't love me whole heartedly

I feel much better now, my 5 1/2 year old has been horrendous this holidays, but only at home, screaming, swearing, refusing to co-operate. Think it must be the holiday thing, not the same routine. I never went through any of this with my 8 year old. I have tried ignoring, taking things away, early bedtimes etc, none of it has been very effective. The sad thing is it's spoiling the holiday for my older one. It is better when we're out but I don't have the energy to be out all the time and anyway, they need to learn to be at home as well don't they? Hoping it gets better for all of you, I'm expecting a few more hols like this to be honest, she is a very stubborn child. Sadly, looking forward to September in some ways.

just re-read about the naughty step - my children loved the naughty step so much, they would sit together on it even though only one of them had been sent there! One time, when a friends' two children were over my son did something silly and i asked him to sit on the naughty step, it went very quiet and we found all four of them sitting on it having a lovely time! Not one for every child I think.

I can totally relate to these descriptions... my DD2 (almost 6) can drive me mad at times with tantrums, I even found myself wondering yesterday if it's possible to put her up for adoption?! (DD1 & DD3 are angelic in comparison...) Can I ask a question? I understand the 'ignore til they calm down approach', but that doesn't help when you're trying to get out the door... I find leaving the house with the 3 of them plus bags etc so tough when I'm dealing with her behaviour too - no matter how organised I am, I keep forgetting stuff & have to go back for it. I won't have time to go back for it when they start back school next week & I'm predicting major meltdowns from both of us!