I've just threatened NOT to go to Sport Day tomorrow - Bad Mummy alert

[clumsymum]

DS (nearly 7) did his usual lack of co-operation about teeth cleaning tonight, to be honest this happens 4 or 5 nights out out of 7, he messes about, dances round, puts too much toothpaste on the brush, plays with toilet roll, anything to avoid brushing his teeth and string out the time.

Well tonight once he got started, he spat toothpaste in my face!!

I try to stay calm, but bl**dy hell it's hard. I sent him straight to bed, no story, no reading, told him I was disgusted with him, then said I don't think I'll go to sports day tomorrow, because I am soo upset with his behaviour.

Now of course I'm backed into a corner. I don't want school to think I don't care, I want to be there to cheer him on, but I've said this thing, in the heat of the moment.

What do I do now.

p.s. we're not helped by the fact that he's been up at 5:30 the last 2 mornings, so we're both fairly kn*ckered.

you didn't say you wouldn't go - you said you were upset with his behaviour. IMO I would hope for a good morning (and work hard with him to achieve it) and then have a chat about it not being acceptable etc but that you are pleased with the morning so you would love to come and cheer him on. Big hugs etc and put it behind you.

It is hard not to lose your temper - and parents are allowed to back down sometimes - when it really matters, as long as it is not usual he will appreciate how important his sporta day is to you.

HTH

You've got to go but tell him that you will think of another suitable punishment, or ask him to, he may come up with something harsher than you;d have given. Ds has responded really well to a star chart recently, he's nearly 9 but it worked, much to my surprise.

does he only do this at night? Perhaps if he usually messes around in the morning too you could tell him that spitting is very wrong and if he behaves before school you will rethink.

That way you get a well behaved child in the morning and noone thinks you're a bad Mum. Win win situation.

BTW my dd (3.3yrs) gets up at 5.30 EVERY morning so I know where you're coming from

Blimey clumsy, well done you for trying to stay calm about it.

You said you 'didn't think' you'd go to sports day, rather than completely ruling it out, yes? So SM's and cat64's suggestions would work I think.

I have just been up to give a goodnight kiss now that things are calm (I'm such a softie). I said I might still go, but he MUST NOT wake me up before 7:00 a.m. otherwise I won't go.

If he gets me up early again, I'll have an afternoon nap instead.

Trouble is partly that Daddy can't promise to get there as he has a 2 hour drive from where he's working, and if the motorway gets blocked he will miss it.

Thanks by the way

hope you all have a good day tomorrow

Well he didn't disturb me on purpose when he woke up at 5:30, although I heard him peep in at my digital clock. He went back to bed reading, and I went back to sleep until 7 so I went to sports day, altho was tempted not to as he made such a huge fuss about finding his school shoes.

He's been up at 5:30 both mornings this weekend too. I'm at my wits end as he's tired and grumpy all day.

Tonight I've put notices on the loo, to say go back to bed until 7 o'clock. I've locked the cable box until 7:00, and put a notice on the telly saying it won't work until 7 o'clock, and a notice on our door saying do not enter until 7 o'clock. Thank god he can read. Do you think he'll get the message?

excellent about sports day, that sounds like a good outcome - and he clearly tried really hard!

As to the rest - only time will tell! try tis for a few days, if it doesn't seem to work start a new thread, I am certain others will have specific advice to this problem!

Good luck for the morning