frustrated with my kids

[dismom9761]

I do not know what to do with my kids.Instead of their behavior getting better closer to Christmas it is getting worse.They are not getting along at all-hitting,calling each other names and just being mean to each other in general.I am at the end of my patience and in tears.We had a fun night planned and I have just cancelled it.How can I change attitudes?Everything that has worked in the past is not working.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[momof2inPA]

My kids were that way yesterday. Today, they are absolute angels. It's kind of hard to channel their energy in the Winter. Try to run the energy out of them somehow, maybe swimming.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

it almost always has to do with christmas coming in what, four days? I would guess they will get better after Christmas.

 

[mouse1]

I feel your pain. I have the same problem at my house. Matter of fact their fighting right now. This too shall pass.

 

[diznygirl]

Same here. Send help!

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Take them to see a movie or do something special.

 

[barkley]

i am actualy permitting a terrible habit my son has in order to combat this very problem between my kids. my son will occasionaly flip/flop his sleeping pattern (sleeps most of the day and stays up all night playing in his room or watching t.v.). i hate it when this happens cuz i keep waking up to check on him, but on the flip side it's limiting the number of hours he and dd are spending with each other (she is early to bed, early to rise), and since she is old enuf i can nap during the day to make up for lost zzzzzzzzzz's.

i figure he will be awake all day christmas eve for the in-law celebration, so he will crash and burn that night-wake up early the next morning, and by the 25th he'll be back on schedual (and then they'll have their new stuff to keep them occupied and out of each other's hair).

 

[dismom9761]

Take them to see a movie or do something special.

I feel like this would be rewarding the bad behavior.I had already told them that if they would be good at their grandfather's house today and tomorrow that I would take them to a movie on Friday(I had to work these two days).He said they fought all morning.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Hmmmm. never thought about it like that. sounds like they have to much energy and excitement bottled up.

 

[lewdyan1]

My neighbor got the phone number to the head elf in the north pole and pulls his cell phone out often this week. Whenever the kids are acting up...the threat of a call to the elf works Christmas magic!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

My DS5 started crying yesterday that he was going to be on Santa's bad list. I didn't want him crying, but I also didn't want him to think he could do whatever he wanted and get away with it, so I told him that Santa also had a 'socks and underwear only' list. It has worked so far!

These breaks always throw my son off - anything varying from the routine and heaven help us!!!!!

Sorry, hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

 

[OhMari]

Time out works wonders, especially when you take them by their arm and put them in their room. Tell them if they can active civil to each other, they can come out in 20 minutes. If they do it again, just keep repeating until they know you mean.

 

[dismom9761]

Time out works wonders, especially when you take them by their arm and put them in their room. Tell them if they can active civil to each other, they can come out in 20 minutes. If they do it again, just keep repeating until they know you mean.

Tht is where DS8 and DD6 are at the moment.I may leave the house when their dad gets home.

 

[daisyduck123]

When my DD11 & DS7 fight, they get sent to their rooms.
If they want to be allowed out, then they have to agree to either get along or ignore each other. I can't stand to listen to it & I won't.

 

[Marseeya]

I can sympathize.

It's just a stressful time of the year for all of us, so I don't imagine it's any easier for the kids.

 

[dismom9761]

Nothing seemed to work so they were sent to bed.Maybe twelve hours of sleep is what they need.I hate ending the night on a bad note.We are supposed to go bake Christmas cookies with their Grandma tomorrow night.I hope they are better for my dad in the morning.

 

[mskani]

My two kids, dd9 and ds 7 have been fighting off and on for the past month or so. The name calling, the pettiness, etc. My ds has had a really funky attitude lately. We've taken away the GameCube and most of his toys are packed up because we are preparing the house to be sold. Just tonight, I unpacked his toy cars, but he didn't want them--he really wants to play the video game--not going to happen as he is being punished.

When I was growing up, kids were on their best behavior during November and December--what's wrong with these kids?!!

I told him that he was going to get a lump of coal for Christmas along with underwear and clothes. I was half kidding when I told him this, but as it stands right now, I haven't bought him anything yet, except for clothes.

 

[shortbun]

I feel like this would be rewarding the bad behavior.I had already told them that if they would be good at their grandfather's house today and tomorrow that I would take them to a movie on Friday(I had to work these two days).He said they fought all morning.

Sounds like they are bored to death. How old are they? What options did they have at Granfather's house? Kids need a schedule when they first get out of school. Even I go crazy without a plan. Good luck with cancelling what activity they DO have. I can't think that will help.

 

[shortbun]

My two kids, dd9 and ds 7 have been fighting off and on for the past month or so. The name calling, the pettiness, etc. My ds has had a really funky attitude lately. We've taken away the GameCube and most of his toys are packed up because we are preparing the house to be sold. Just tonight, I unpacked his toy cars, but he didn't want them--he really wants to play the video game--not going to happen as he is being punished.

When I was growing up, kids were on their best behavior during November and December--what's wrong with these kids?!!

I told him that he was going to get a lump of coal for Christmas along with underwear and clothes. I was half kidding when I told him this, but as it stands right now, I haven't bought him anything yet, except for clothes.

Let's see...you are preparing to move. Might THAT have any effect on the behavior of 7 and 9yo CHILDREN? I KNOW you are aware that this kind of stress could really get to kids this age, right???? Here's a "when I was growing up" for ya....people didn't pack up all their children's things for a few months to get ready to sell their houses. We tidied up the house and that was that. Kids were allowed to be kids and grown ups worried about the stressfull things.

 

[dismom9761]

Sounds like they are bored to death. How old are they? What options did they have at Granfather's house? Kids need a schedule when they first get out of school. Even I go crazy without a plan. Good luck with cancelling what activity they DO have. I can't think that will help.

They are 10,8,and 6.At their granfathers today-they arrived at 7:45 and he prepared a huge breakfast with them.After they ate he helped them build a fort in the living room.They whittled on their pieces of wood,watched a movie that he rented them.After that they ate lunch and then he took them to town to meet their Aunt.There they played with their cousins and she took them to a movie.All this activity did not stop them from fighting and acting like little spoiled brats.At one point two got in a fist fight.
So,yes,I do think it was appropriate to punish them at that point.