Rhett&SarahsMom :
Tantrum- walk away. My daughter had ONE tantrum. it was when she was three.
We were at a mall walking around. She wanted something. I told her no. She threw herself on the ground kicking and screaming. I kept walking. Went no more than 6 feet from her when she realized I wasnt standing over her. She stopped and came running up to me. Never happened again. She is going on 9 years old now.
Back talk- I have never laid a hand on her. She has made a comment here and there. When I catch her. And I do catch her. I just raise an eyebrow at her and say "What did you just say to me?" She crumbles into "I am sorry" crying and sobbing.
I think she has back talked me 4 times total. Never to her father.
Not eating what I cook. Fine. Starve. when she was younger it was worse. But now. If we are eating something she doesnt want. ie meat. She makes herself something. In all honesty she has been doing that for years now. She works the microwave, toaster oven and reg oven. Self feeding.
Not doing what you tell them. I have never treated her like a "kid" per say. I tell her what I expect. In plain words. No baby talk. She does it. simple. I also tend to ask her. Not tell her. unless it is something big and potentially dangerous.
Ya know. "Stay with me. ""Come with me. " that stuff.
For bath time and hair washing it was "Can you put your head back. " or "close your eyes. the soap can hurt if ya dont"
Give a reason for what you are asking or tellign them. If they dont.. theye learn when it hurts their eyes.
Last weekend we were at the pet store in the bird room. A guy came in that set off my mom warning bells. (he really creeped me out) I walked towards the door and told her to come with me. She really didnt want to, since we had just gotten there and she was talking to a parrot she likes.
But she came along with me. when we were out of the room we went to look at toys for our parakeets and the creepy guy followed us. This was athe back of the store and a corner. I again told her to come with me and we walked quickly from the store. She wasnt pleased. but didnt question me. So I took the time when we were outside to stop and explain that the man had made me uncomfortable. She said "ok" and that was that.
Potty training.- Sure diapers suck. I didnt bother really potty training her. But I was a WAHM til she was in first grade. DH is now a WAHD
yes, we are very lucky.
When she was 4 she trained herself. In one day.
I told her that her friends were all potty trained( I lied, they were not. most of her playmates were a lot younger than her at the time) We got home and she went, put on her big girl undies and that was that.
She has "chores" She gathers the eggs, feeds the animals. She occasionally does the dishes without our asking. That started when she wanted her Barbie's to have a pool party in January. There were dishes in the sink. I wasnt home to clean them and her dad was in the office working. So she cleaned them and put them in the drying rack. Now she just radomly does them.
I dont think kids are evil. I also dont agree that "kids will be kids" or "boys will be boys" etc
I treat her like I expect her to behave. Is working for us.
It sounds like you raised your kids much like I raised mine. Establish clear expections and follow through with consequences if those expectation are not met and your child will do well. I have 2 daughters (18 and 15 y/o) and neither have ever talked back to me or any other authority figure. Teachers have always been very pleased with their behavior in school. They have well rounded personalities and have recently informed me that I have not "damaged" them (too much
) by enforcing rules.