Help needed with 5yr olds behaviour

[mandylc83]

I don’t know what to do anymore! Feel like I can’t cope! And not sure where to turn to for help.
I have a 5 year old who swears at me, doesn’t do as he’s told and constantly screams.
He seems to find punishments funny - and pushes me as far as he can.
He throws stuff at me and has an awful temper.
I don’t know how to handle it anymore - I feel like I’ve exhausted options.

Please don't take this as criticism- but it sounds as if he has a lot of anger inside. Can you think of anything that he could be angry about? Is there are disruption in his life at the moment, or is he witnessing things that may be upsetting him? Make sure he gets lots of praise and love when he is being good (even small good behaviour), so the interaction isn't always negative.

If he's finding punishment funny then he's cut off his emotional feelings, possibly so that he does not feel hurt by the punishments, or shouting, etc. It can be a coping mechanism. Perhaps try to find some advice on the internet on how to deal with his tantrums, etc.

Do you know where he is getting the swear words from? My children don't know any. He must be hearing them somewhere. My sister has a similar issue, and they are picking them up from their Dad (family separated). You may need to tackle the source of an issue.

Any advice is very welcome!
He was present when his dad threw something at me and cut my head - unfortunately he was found not guilty in court but obviously we are no longer together. This happened back in March. We are being evicted and having to move house as I can’t afford the rent here alone.
Do you think it might be due to all the disruption? I’m hoping he will settle down when we move.
Swear words he has heard from family members - and he seems to have picked a couple up from school too.