********* Anger management for kids *********

[mousiemousie]

My dd - age 6 - discovered that hitting a cushion is a great way of "getting my anger out".

She told me that she thinks that the agressive boys in her class are angry and just get it out wrong (hitting other children etc). I suspect she is right.

My question is, how do your kids get their anger out in a safe way, and what ways are available to kids in a school environment?

bloody hell, what an impressive 6 year old. its taken me 31 years to work out the cushion thing.

I bought my then 8 year old DS2 a punch bag (on a stand - so not a cheap option) as a way of releasing his frustration - rather than using his brothers in this way. I occasionally hear an odd thumping noise and discover that he's in the playroom pounding away.

My mum used to be a school secretary and told me a tale of a little Italian boy who joined the school. His English was limited and consequently the other children found that they could wind him up through language and he was constantly in trouble for hitting out. The head invested in a punchbag in the school hall and this boy was given special permission to come in during break and lunchtime to use it. Mum said she would often sit in her office (next to the hall) eating her lunch and would hear the outer door slammed back against the wall, the doors to the hall likewise, a furious pounding, big sigh and doors closed quietly on the way out, but the boy never got into trouble for hitting again. Bless.

To be fair, DS2 rarely hits his brothers, even when furiously angry, tending to go for screaming and slamming doors, etc., but having the punchbag has served as an outlet for his frustration which is a huge relief for my doors.

...would be good if our school had a punchbag!

I am struggling to think what other options are available in school, as situations in school can be very frustrating and anger inducing. How do you get it out at school without getting into trouble?

I have a punchbag in my garage it gets a good whack off all of us from time to time.

Loads of votes for punchbags!

Should all schools have them then? Or is there another way?