DS (5) tearing pages out of books...

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

I caught him tearing a few pages out of his Gruffalo book this evening, whilst he was sitting on the toilet. I shouted at him and was quite cross as i couldnt believe he would do this. He later confessed he'd done it to another book and showed me the pages hidden under his bed so he must have known it was naughty. He said he was sorry but I'm really annoyed with him and feel he should know better.

What would you do/suitable punishment?

Personally I wouldn't do anything to punish my 5 yo DD. But she is quite biddable really & hates being told off. She would have done that out of curiosity not malevolence.

Anyway. Give him paper he is allowed to tear. Take books out of his room as he can't be trusted with him - that's the logical consequence.

DD

Oops. DD stil

I wish he was biddable, and telling him off seems to have no effect. He's always up to mischief, i call him 'fiddly fingers'. I really cant remove his books from his room as he's got quite a collection and I've no space unfortunately. He can be hard work sometimes!

I wasn't trying to be smug by the way, was just thinking about what I would do.

No stories read to him? Pocket money to buy replacement books?

I will take some pocket money off him to replace the books, thanks for that suggestion Jane. I feel guilty for shouting at him, I always seem to be so it's hard to gain perspective sometimes. He's either really really good or always in trouble, there's no middle- ground with him!

Ds spent most of toddlerhood up to about the age of 7 ripping books, he has since been dx with ASD, any other concerns?

I'm afraid either DD would have been smacked for that and yelled at.

By 5 both would have known better! DD1 especially since she did have books kept out of her reach when she was little as she wasn't as careful as she ought to have been.

I wouldn't feel bad that you shouted at him. You reacted out of shock and surprise. He has said he was sorry and he told you about the other book so you don't want to stop him telling you things.

Like Jane, I would give him some paper of his own.Perhaps you could fill couple of shoes boxes with crafty stuff. just from around the house. Buttons, tin foil, egg boxes. Get him some pipe cleaners. Keep those fingers busy.

I would get his some blutac or similar to fiddle with when he is sitting. I've done that in school with children on the carpet etc. who find it hard to sit still.