my 6 year old is a tantrum queen!

[katsarooney]

Hi,

I am freaking out! My lovely daughter is still taking full blown tantrums and she is 6. She is so good in school, at friends houses, a little well mannered angel, but lets it rip at home. Its so distressing and embarassing...my Mam and Dad think that she is a lunatic. My other 2 daughters are thankfully a bit better at controlling their feelings. I feel so sorry for her as she really cant stop her screaming. I have read alot on this topic but feel that it is still an issue. She would be grand for ages and easy going then it kicks off again.She hits, bites, kicks her younger sisters and and sometimes me and her Dad. I try to stay calm...but its hard. She is so adorable in every other way. It is frightening how she flips. Does anyone else have this problem?

I wish I could advise, well I will try, my daughter is the same and she's 7 (and getting closer to 8) The same is true as for you, she is great at school, delightful at friends houses etc. I have received some good advice here on mumsnet about being a bit stricter. I now realise she needs quite rigid boundaries. For example very firm rules about what time bed is, what she's allowed to do etc. That makes things clear for her so she feels more in control. I am beginning to try and implement this.
However I think it's also about attention and if you and her Dad are able to give her a bit of one-on-one time to make her feel special, even if it's just 5 or 10 minutes here and there, would that help?
It might be worth keeping a note of what the triggers are each time she flips.
We have a couple of anger management books which I hope will help as well, I can't in all good faith recommend them to you as we haven't finished them yet. here and here but might be worth a look.

Thanks a mill,
It feels good just knowing that it is not so unsual. The more I chat to mams the more they say that their little ones do the same. I do try to have one on one time with her but to be honest sometimes she can be so difficult I really dont want to...how bad is that? Think I just may need a break..like all mammys I guess!