Tweenage drama queens

[teskak]

I think I have grown a good one.

DD Emily is 6 and she has just had a screaming fit over why I will not allow her to have a computer in her room when she is a teenager, and instead will have her computer / study in our shared open space study area.

Now this is not a small space, since both DH & I have to do work / study from home what for some people is a family area is set out as a study with lots of space for all.

But for some silly reason Madam thought she would have her computer in her room. While I explained in general terms what teenagers can get up to when using a computer in private (thanks to the DIS I have already gone through most teenage dramas), she promises at 6 that she will not do dumb things as a teenager - wish I had a recording of that.

Yes, I am confident that DH as a lecturer in Telecommunications, specialising in IT security with a wide streak of geek & hacker will be able to stay ahead of a teenager in our own home, and we will be educating her on why it is not a good idea to post photos of her girly bits on Facebook or sent to some future to be boyfriend - the having computers in private is just a fight I do not want to have.

So - Madam then went and shut herself in her room, and at the time I last checked, was shifting her toybox in front of her door for no further mummy interventions. I think she will come out when she is hungry or needs the toilet.

I think I will have an entertaining ride with a strong willed (but totally adorable) tween

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Good luck to you! At least you know she's got a good IQ.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think I have grown a good one.

DD Emily is 6 and she has just had a screaming fit over why I will not allow her to have a computer in her room when she is a teenager, and instead will have her computer / study in our shared open space study area.

Now this is not a small space, since both DH & I have to do work / study from home what for some people is a family area is set out as a study with lots of space for all.

But for some silly reason Madam thought she would have her computer in her room. While I explained in general terms what teenagers can get up to when using a computer in private (thanks to the DIS I have already gone through most teenage dramas), she promises at 6 that she will not do dumb things as a teenager - wish I had a recording of that.

Yes, I am confident that DH as a lecturer in Telecommunications, specialising in IT security with a wide streak of geek & hacker will be able to stay ahead of a teenager in our own home, and we will be educating her on why it is not a good idea to post photos of her girly bits on Facebook or sent to some future to be boyfriend - the having computers in private is just a fight I do not want to have.

So - Madam then went and shut herself in her room, and at the time I last checked, was shifting her toybox in front of her door for no further mummy interventions. I think she will come out when she is hungry or needs the toilet.

I think I will have an entertaining ride with a strong willed (but totally adorable) tween

Oh My....but I think you are Blessed with a strong willed young lady that will make an IMPACT on us all in her/our future rather than believe she is a drama queen
Best of Luck mom, sounds like you will be kept on your toes

 

[tiggger1]

I swear it must be something in the air! my dd7 has been in meltdown mode for the last week. I know is partially because she is bored( not sure why because she got a TON of crafts for her birthday party last week!) but I thinking hormones have to do something with it too!

the other night she started crying because her brother had a dvd player in his room and she didnt. it didnt matter that she has a brand new Flat screen tv with satellite! I told her we could switch if he wanted and she could have the old tv and dvd player and she went into teenage meltdown...crying hysterically " you dont love me' 'I dont have anything nice" " why are you so mean.. . She was so over dramatic that I started laughing hysterically which of course made it worse! so just went into the other room and she calmed down and fell asleep!

 

[Jennasis]

I can't relate. I don't have kids...and as a child I never ever spoke back, much less raised my voice or screamed. My mother would've murdered me and strung the corpse up in the living room as a warning to others.

At least, I assumed she would.

 

[bballmom56]

I'm just wondering why you and she were discussing something 7 years in the future. If she were pushing the issue, I would just answer "we'll see when that time comes." A lot of things can change in 7 years! No need to get either of you upset at this point in time.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't relate. I don't have kids...and as a child I never ever spoke back, much less raised my voice or screamed. My mother would've murdered me and strung the corpse up in the living room as a warning to others.

At least, I assumed she would.

Well, as a mom of 3 girls, I have one who, at this age, would totally pull this, and 2 others who have never whined, talked back, or disobeyed. You get what you get! Growing up, I was the compliant one - my sister, not so much.

 

[Disneylover79]

If it makes you feel any better, I was a horrible teen, but I am now BEST FRIENDS with my mother...I would be lost without her..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I can't relate. I don't have kids...and as a child I never ever spoke back, much less raised my voice or screamed. My mother would've murdered me and strung the corpse up in the living room as a warning to others.

At least, I assumed she would.

Sister? Is that you?


I admit to being quite sassy as a teen but not in elementary school. Of course every kid is different and since I have 5 you never know what might happen here.

 

[MichelleVW]

I can't relate. I don't have kids...and as a child I never ever spoke back, much less raised my voice or screamed. My mother would've murdered me and strung the corpse up in the living room as a warning to others.

At least, I assumed she would.

I have two teenagers and I can't relate. No way would I tolerate that sort of behavior. And besides, why were you discussing with a 6 year old what she could have in her room as a teenager?

6 year old -"mom, when I'm a teenager I want my computer in my room"
Me- "ok, whatever"
6 year old then goes off to play with barbies....

 

[scrapbookworm]

I have two teenagers and I can't relate. No way would I tolerate that sort of behavior. And besides, why were you discussing with a 6 year old what she could have in her room as a teenager?

6 year old -"mom, when I'm a teenager I want my computer in my room"
Me- "ok, whatever"
6 year old then goes off to play with barbies....

Well, my child has an awesome memory, and would probably recall it 10 years later, lol.

So, I'm like the OP- I prefer to answer honestly. My 10yo DD gets upset whenever we talk about a car. She will probably end up with my DH's. She doesn't want it. I remind her that there is no way to know our financial situation in 6 years, so we can't guarantee that she will get her own car. It definitely will not be a brand new one- I can't afford that!

 

[luvsJack]

The child's question may have been more along the lines of "at what age can I have a computer in my room" Thats the usual question. And that takes a more honest answer as I can assure you they DO NOT forget.

When dd was 6 or 7 she asked when she would be able to wear make up. She immediately began counting down the days. That one question taught me to be careful how I answer a question like that.

 

[sunnyday123]

We have had this discussion at my house. DD is 12.

DD: Can I take the laptop into my room?

Me: No.

I'm a single mom with 2 jobs. I do not have time for that funny business, and DD knows-because she's tried it before-that throwing a tantrum will make you lose more stuff than you can imagine, in a very short time.

Honestly, after that, she would've lost computer time all together for the weekend, and if I heard her blocking me out of her room, the door would've come off.

You have to scare 'em when they're young, or they'll walk all over you when they are teens!!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Are 6 year old really consider tweens?

I am with some PP's, there is no way I would have tolerated my 6yo having a meltdown over something 7-8 years in the future.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We have had this discussion at my house. DD is 12.

DD: Can I take the laptop into my room?

Me: No.

I'm a single mom with 2 jobs. I do not have time for that funny business, and DD knows-because she's tried it before-that throwing a tantrum will make you lose more stuff than you can imagine, in a very short time.

Honestly, after that, she would've lost computer time all together for the weekend, and if I heard her blocking me out of her room, the door would've come off.
You have to scare 'em when they're young, or they'll walk all over you when they are teens!!

I thought it was only me.

 

[MichelleVW]

Well, my child has an awesome memory, and would probably recall it 10 years later, lol.

So, I'm like the OP- I prefer to answer honestly. My 10yo DD gets upset whenever we talk about a car. She will probably end up with my DH's. She doesn't want it. I remind her that there is no way to know our financial situation in 6 years, so we can't guarantee that she will get her own car. It definitely will not be a brand new one- I can't afford that!

I have a 17 year old who is the queen of "but mom you said" and honestly I may "have said" whatever 5 years ago, but it doesn't matter. What I say, "right now" goes.

Answering honestly a question about computers many years in the future is just plain silly because who knows what kind of computers we will have then. Even sillier is arguing with a 6 year old!

I can't imagine the trouble this child will be when she is 16 if she's allowed to scream at her parents at age 6!

 

[teskak]

We have had this discussion at my house. DD is 12.

DD: Can I take the laptop into my room?

Me: No.

I'm a single mom with 2 jobs. I do not have time for that funny business, and DD knows-because she's tried it before-that throwing a tantrum will make you lose more stuff than you can imagine, in a very short time.

Honestly, after that, she would've lost computer time all together for the weekend, and if I heard her blocking me out of her room, the door would've come off.

You have to scare 'em when they're young, or they'll walk all over you when they are teens!!

OP here, she is generally very compliant, knows what she has to do & the consequences for what happens if she does not do as requested. Indeed the standard comment in her school reports is how she is considerate of others.

We have been doing a large kitchen / living area renovation including space for further study area. DD had just been putting name tags on some basic stationery to set up her "study area" and DH commented about making a spare room into a study for her - yes, I know dumb comment as it was acted on. She so far has a very good memory and so, in the period while she is still learning to read (but is a fan of Linux) I flat out said that she would not be having a computer in her bedroom.

As for the barricading, it lasted about 30 mins and then she moved the toy box somewhere else in her room. I have no problem with her moving items in her room provided it is safe to do so.

She knows that she does not get very far with me, and as I mentioned above, I have used the DIS learnings before, particularly the one that if she has neglected to do her chores then all of her toys go to the garage & can only be earned back toy by toy. That works really well.

It was more that the incidence was amusing of a 6 year old promising not to do dumb things when she is a teenager. I wish I had that one recorded.

 

[golfgal]

I can't relate. I don't have kids...and as a child I never ever spoke back, much less raised my voice or screamed. My mother would've murdered me and strung the corpse up in the living room as a warning to others.

At least, I assumed she would.

I have two teenagers and I can't relate. No way would I tolerate that sort of behavior. And besides, why were you discussing with a 6 year old what she could have in her room as a teenager?

6 year old -"mom, when I'm a teenager I want my computer in my room"
Me- "ok, whatever"
6 year old then goes off to play with barbies....

(would have been beanie babies here though )

I have a 17 year old who is the queen of "but mom you said" and honestly I may "have said" whatever 5 years ago, but it doesn't matter. What I say, "right now" goes.

Answering honestly a question about computers many years in the future is just plain silly because who knows what kind of computers we will have then. Even sillier is arguing with a 6 year old!

I can't imagine the trouble this child will be when she is 16 if she's allowed to scream at her parents at age 6!

Just like the teenage drama thread, if you allow this behavior now, you are in for a very long and scary teenage years. 6 years old is barely out of being a toddler and no where near a "tween". Our kids were not allowed to raise their voices to us like that and like others have said if they tried to keep us out of a room in OUR HOUSE, the door would have been off-but then again, they knew better than to do that.

 

[beinspired]

I had a computer in my room, but no internet at that age! I wondered too, why I could not have the internet in my room, but I definitely understand now. Too many crazies out there today

 

[Magic Mom]

It was more that the incidence was amusing of a 6 year old promising not to do dumb things when she is a teenager. I wish I had that one recorded.

It wouldn't matter if you recorded it, because don't forget, teens never think anything they do is dumb.

And I agree with the others. Don't tolerate tantrums. A cute six year old tantrum turns pretty quickly into ugly 13 year old tantrums.