Tantrums from a 7 year old.

[Kimmya]

Its just me and my daughter, but we're having a really rough time with her tantrums. Thinks she can do exactly what she wants, make her own decisions and has no consideration for anything. Acts like a teenager already! I am at my wits end trying to instill some sort of discipline but she just 'goes off on one' when I do. The tantrums include throwing things, screaming and trying to kick out. She will not go to her room but will collapse on the floor, or jumps up and down in front of me. Grounding and and taking away privileges just don't seem to faze her. "A big help please!!!"

I know child care books aren't everybody's cup of tea but I have just started reading the following book and I am finding it has some helpful practical suggestions. 'Talking to Tweenies, Getting it right before it gets rocky with your 8-12 year old' Elizabeth Hartley Brewer.

I'm going through the same with my 7.5yo DD. Most of the time she is very reasonable, helpful loving etc at home (apparently she's an angel at school, hard to believe!!!). But she gets into these awful rages if something doesn't go her way, or if she is being punished and just doesn't want to be. I would say the only thing is consistency.

When she was younger I would let her have her tantrum and just leave the room, if she followed I'd leave that room. I found naughty step, sending to room, loss of privileges just plain did not work but taking away my attention did. After about 10 minutes she would come to me calmed but upset and ask for a cuddle, we'd then talk about what had happened and why. NOW is different, she takes so much longer to calm down, and often flys into another rage quite quickly. Consistency. Do the same again and again. I've spent today with the most horrendous headache as she went off on one at about 10.30 and the whole day has been a battle. If she's eating a good diet, getting loads of exercise, fresh air and sleep you can't do a lot more. I've even asked if anything is bothering her when we have 'close' times but I guess it's just down her growing and testing boundaries. Hope that helps....

Thanks for the suggestions. Will get the book and try to be more consistent, but that's v.difficult when you're in the middle of being bombarded!!!

OMG, my 3yo already does the rage and screams at the top of lungs when told off or punished
What will she be like later????
Doesn't usually last for long tho.
Hope you can sort her out Kimmya, consistency is the key. How long does consistently doing the same thing take to work????