DD age 6 - driving me crazy - help!`

[lulu41]

My dd is driving me to distraction. She appears constantly moody - ie. she gets up and within minutes she is cross about something - I try to stay calm and just get on with the day but quite often recently her behaviour has resulted in me getting cross at her - I know its a vicious cycle but I dont know how to turn things around - I did try star charts but that only really improved her getting dressed quicker she rarely got a star for no stoppy behaviour etc - I am getting to the point where I dont like her much and I want to change things but not sure how - anyone out there with similar problem and managed to effect changes in your relationship - help please !!

My DS is the same i am afraid. SOme days he is like Kevin the teenager and otherdays he is just plain angry at the world. Not sure what advice to give but wanted you to know you aren't alone x

Ds in the same! We have managed to make a few improvements this last week, but only because he knows dh and i will get a report from his teacher on his cross behaviour at school (now almost non-existant!), and she would get one in the morning on his grumpiness at home!
All i can say is staying calm really helps - i cant always do it, but i always try and keep in together no matter what.
I say things like 'it such a shame you are feeling so cross because i am about to serve up a nice family breakfast - join us when yu feel less grumpy' (only if i am sure it is nothing serious though!).
A good chat at bedtime helps to see the happy bits to.
Will be watching this thread with interest!

any further advice would be gratefully received - its only at home with me she is like this at school she is fine !

looks like yet another thread I have started has died - thanks for your responses

Oh come on Lulu, cheer up
I think at this age a little responsibility goes a long way- letting her make her own breakfast, her own decisions, doing stuff on her own/ just with you (if there are more of you in the family). My dd blooms after mummy and me time or when I treat her like the big girl she thinks she is
It's an awkward stage for them getting older and trying to stamp their individuality on things.

Hope you're okay Lulu

What sorts of things set her off in the morning?

How does she keep her bedroom? Is she organised? This can often have an impact on her mood etc.

Have you tried things like laying her uniform out the night before so it's all ready for when she gets up? Let her choose her underwear, socks/tights and what she wants in her hair e.g. clips, hairbands etc. She could have then all layed out on her drawers/chair/desk etc so when she gets up she can put them on.

Also, make sure she has everything ready for school the night before so things are not rushed in the morning. Try and make the morning as relaxing as possible.

Does she have a routine? If she doesn't have one at the moment, maybe set up a regular routine so she knows what to expect in the mornings.

How about some of these:

Spending some time with her everyday after school doing a little activity she enjoys e.g. colouring, playdough, barbies, playing the garden - anything that she enjoys that you could do together.

Before she goes to bed, talk about all the nice things she has done that day. Having a positive frame of mind before going to bed helps sleep and helps children wake up feeling happier.

Hope some of these have helped, if you want any more suggestions, am more than happy to help. Let me know how it goes