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What to do with a 7yr old boy who is an absolute ANGEL at school........but awful at home???

23 replies

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 12:41

At school his teachers have nothing but praise for his behaviour, he's polite, courteous, thoughtful, kind,etc etc and (even at nursery) I've never once been talked to about his behaviour - except to tell me how good he's been.

At home it's a completely different story though - we've just got a new behaviour policy home from school for us to read/talk through with our child and to sign to say that we (and they) understand the behaviour which is expected of them.

The expectations are:

That the children will:

  • be courteous to adults and to each other
  • be well mannered
  • be truthful
  • grow to an awareness of the needs of other people
  • use resources carefully and sensibly
  • be careful with other people's possession and look after their own.

He does all of that BRILLIANTLY at school - and I'm really proud of him for it (and I let him know lots too).

Now on the policy it also has a list of

The Problems:

The school will consider it a problem when the children behave in the following ways; the list is not in any particular order:

  • being insolent to adults, or rude to each other (he does this a LOT at home particularly towards me)
  • fighting or any form of aggression (this includes retaliation) - again this happens quite frequently at home especially the retaliation.
  • any form of vandalism - I think deliberately throwing DS2's toys around and snapping bits off of them, pealing bits of wallpaper off (ok it was already tatty - but still he doesn't have to make it worse) scribbling on the underneath of the table etc would be classed as vandalism - yes??

distracting others from their work, or spoiling someone else's work - he often does this to DS2

Stealing - we have had some (ok relatively minor - and what some may not even class as "stealing") incidents at home

Swearing - once in a blue moon he'll say a word which I occasionally let slip out - not overly concerned about that as it doesn't happen very often at all.

Not being truthful - constantly telling lies

Making insensitive or racist remarks - apart from (what I would class as) the usual sibling stuff I have no concerns there.

being constantly and unduly noisy - I let them run around and make lots of noise a lot, but on the rare occasions I do ask them just to sit down and do something quietly 9/10 he'll keep making noise.

bullying - not sure whether I'd class the "sibling" stuff as bullying - but it often comes very close.

He doesn't do anything like that at school (or when he's out anywhere else - whether he's with me, or not) - so why is he doing it at home????

Where am I going wrong??? I used to be able to deal with it calmly and just move on, but it's happening so frequently now I must be doing something wrong.

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mymama · 15/01/2008 12:56

Swap him with my 7yo ds who is an angel at home and awful at school . I would much rather he be like your ds.

If you have rules in place you need to keep reaffirming them and reminding him that the "bad" behaviour and choices come with consequences. Make sure you follow through.

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 13:02

I just feel so hopeless - I (and DH when he's home) constantly reaffirm the rules and boundaries, and always follow through with the consequences (well I do - DH a bit soft - thought he won't admit it - and often doesn't.....but DS1 doesn't play up for him like he does for me).

All 3 of my DS's are "daddy's" boys - and always have been - but I just feel my relationship with DS1 is virtually non-existent. When he's being good he's lovely, we chat, have fun, do things together - whenever I can I do things with just the two of us (even if it's "boring" things like going to Morrisons for a few bits at the weekend). But most of the time he just seems to totally disregard what I say

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FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 13:06

oh and another thing he just doesn't seem to listen to me - I ask him to do something, or tell him something - but 5/10 minutes later he's "forgotten" (his words) and I have to repeat it.

This has been going on ages now - and I thought perhaps he had a problem with concentrating/listening/hearing/something - but when I spoke to his teachers (and looked at his school work) it's evident that he doesn't have a problem with it at all - except at home with me

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mymama · 15/01/2008 13:12

Some of it is an age thing. My dd is 9 and lovely but started having an attitude and such around 7ish. ds is now doing the same. He turned 7 last week.

Does it happen more often at a certain time? Like after school or when he is really tired?

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 13:18

Any time of day makes no difference - first thing in the morning, after school (though sometimes after he school he's a real gem), weekends - doesn't really seem to matter.

I really do hope it's just an age thing - as I hate being cross with him so often

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mymama · 15/01/2008 13:40

Looking back on your list he doesn't sound ott. More like a normal 7yo boy. Perhaps focus on the ones that bother you the most and work on those first. Maybe set up a rewards system if you don't have one already.

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 18:11

thanks mymama - does he really sound like a normal 7yo boy?? I just feel like my parenting has gone terribly wrong somewhere with his behaviour (although this afternoon has - so far - been ok)....

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kidsrus · 15/01/2008 18:25

FAQ yes thats normal my ds 7 in july is the same.
Absolute angel,model student,well mannered!
Are all the things i get told.
I now make him look at me when im talking and tell him a good listener looks at the person who's talking to them,they also stand still and keep quiet.
I also have a year planner on the wall and remove treats (golden time)when behaviour is too bad.
bed time is the worse here i give attention when he is good and i remove it when he plays up thats all we can do whilst staying calm and not raiseing our voices (easier said than done!)
If you find a magic way please post it here as we would all like the perfect children even though none of us are perfect ourselves (except me)

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 18:29

Thanks kidsrus - was feeling rather about it - he's always been such a lovely "placid" boy - never really had the terrible twos, threes or fours. And now this.........thing is he's smart too (something I'm rather about actually - as I've always told him "well" he's doing with his school work, and how clever he is.......was only at the last open evening end of last term when I looked at his school work and chatted to his teacher when I discovered he's in the top "set" for everything and his schoolwork is AMAZING - I always just thought he was "average" - whatever that is LOL - but told him he was clever.......because that's what parents are supposed to do )

I guess I'm lucky that bedtime is ALWAYS fantastic - all 3 DS's (even DS3 who's only 7 1/2 months) go down brilliantly at 8pm no fuss (that could be something to do with the fact that DH are cruel horrible parents that NEVER extend bedtime - unless we're away and it's totally unavoidable )

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FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 18:30

ooops - never finished off my "smart" thing - was too busy waffling - meant to say he's smart.....and knows EXACTLY how to wind me up - DH is always (gently) advising me not to take the bait......but of course I do...

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kidsrus · 15/01/2008 19:24

snap ds the same too. in top sets for everything he knew 12 colours at the age of 2.
must admit he couldn't hold a pencil when he started school and hated colouring unlike his 2yo sister who is brilliant with that but doesn't know 1 colour yet!
HE IS NOW FAB AT WRITING AND COLOURING THANKS TO SCHOOL.
THE CLEVER ONES KNOW EXACTLY THE BUTTONS TO PRESS.(even the caps lock to get mummy of the computer to finish cooking tea!
watch out it will be standby next!!!!!

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 19:30

now you see that's part of the reason I thought that DS1 was just "average" (but obviously didn't tell) as he was very slow getting going with his learning - nothing really clicked AT ALL until he was half the way through YR1......so I'd just been gently encouraging him along ......as you do.....blissfully aware of the fact that from lagging behind his peers he was rapidly catching them up, and even overtaking them ).

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kidsrus · 15/01/2008 20:14

i was always aware that ds was brighter than others his age and was proud he was only just 4 when he started school and was in top sets for every thing.
i just keep encourageing and praiseing and reminding myself had he been born 8 weeks later he would now be in yr 1 not 2.
his reading is excellent and just gone up a band to level 8. which he informs me another 3 bands he will be on paperbacks.

kidsrus · 15/01/2008 20:18

ok here we go i have just told ds he has 5 mins to get pj's on clean teeth and get into bed then i will come and kiss him good night.
i will update you in 10 mins how we got on!

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 20:30

lol kids - I looked at the clock and realised it was 7.55 - managed to get DS2 and 1 changed, teeth brushed etc in bed for 8.05 and 8.10 respectively - and got DS3 changed and gave him his bed time milk and in for 8.20.....I'm very glad (seen as though DH isn't here during the week for bedtimes) that they all at least do that well and without fuss

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kidsrus · 15/01/2008 20:41

well done fac top marks to you!
ds was in bed forgot to clean teeth but has done now.
was looking at his maths book asking can we do some now(knowing he can eek it out a bit longer)
my reply "not tonight its 8.30 you need to sleep but tomo if you go to sleep now"
kissed him and came downstairs.
now i can hear noises like toys or something being played with i will give it a few minutes before i go back up to check.

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 20:43

thanks - you've made me feel much better - not to mention "normal" with regards to 7yr old boys! (and to think I've got it all again to do.......twice!).

Now I'm off to make myself feel better and relaxed by doing a 1hr blitz (hoover, wash dishes, make up bottles and perhaps some ironing) before DH gets in

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Manoo · 15/01/2008 21:09

Hi FarcicalAlienQueen - though you're probably busy hoovering now!
Just thought I'd join in as my 4.5 year old is similar some of the time. I love how wonderful he is at nursery or the childminder's, or other friend's houses, but hate how rude he is to me and dh. My nursery teacher said it is just a way of letting off steam when he has been so nice all day to other people, kind of like now I can relax. A kid way of coming in from work and saying 'that was a hard day, I'm tired now'. Some days I believe this, and others I just feel, like you, that I've gone wrong somewhere.

In the early days I used to give in to tantrums very easily (having no clue what to do with kids at all) - although we've made progress since then, I still think I've taught him that being cross/grumpy pays. I also get quite cross myself (usually at him, when I haven't had much sleep cause of the baby), and then kick myself afterwards because I keep modelling cross/rude behaviour for him to copy. Although this doesn't happen that often and I always make an effort to apologise and say that I shouldn't have shouted/got angry. Wish he would copy the calm apologies too!

He often speaks to me like I'm his servant, tells me to 'go away', yells at me to get him stuff, no matter how many times I ask him to ask nicely... tonight at bedtime he spent ages telling me that it was the worst night of his life and that he was cross and it was my fault because of x, y, and z.

I do sometimes wonder what I've done to create/deserve such a little crosspatch - I was such a well-behaved child and had a great relationship with my mum.

kidsrus · 15/01/2008 21:13

tescos just delivered and ive put it all away. just been upstairs to chck ds he was looking out the window so i said you really need to sleep and turned bed side light off.
"give me a kiss and go to sleep goodnight" he instantly tuns light back on "if you turn that light on again i will remove it from the room". he leans over pretending" i mean it don't try me" (feeling even more) but staying cool and calm.i then kiss him and walk out so far so good.

Califrau · 15/01/2008 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kidsrus · 15/01/2008 21:15

forgot to say dd 2yo went to bed at same time and is sweetly snoring blissfully unaware.

FarcicalAlienQueen · 15/01/2008 22:04

phew - looks like it's just normal "testing" behaviour for a 7yr old then...........how do such generally lovely children cause so much angst.......god knows what I'm going to be like when my DS's hit their teens!!! And I'll have 3 teenage boys EEEEEEEEK

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kidsrus · 15/01/2008 22:45

well hes asleep now thank god and i stayed cool and calm.
but look ive just seen this thread and thanking my lucky stars i have it easy.poor thing

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