[~char~]

I'm about to give up! My once angelic DD has turned into a monster.

She never listens to me anymore, mocks me when I tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable, back chats, questions everything I say, doesn't seem to care about any negative consequences (e.g. banning ipod, TV, toys etc). Time out rarely works and I feel like I am running out of options!

She's very bright, but getting her to do her homework is such a struggle. There has been no hint of any misbehaviour at school - she's a model student there! I'm a single working parent and we get home at 6pm, so she's often tired and resists doing anything, from unpacking her school bag, taking a shower, doing homework etc. Whinges and whines, even starts crying at the drop of a hat when something insignificant happens. I'm ashamed to say I've come close to losing it a few times but I just put her in her room and go somewhere else while I calm down. Often she will be wailing in her room and then will calm down and come and apologise.

I don't understand. I've tried behaviour charts, rewards and praising her when she behaves well.

PLEASE tell me this is just a phase and one day soon my daughter will go back to being the lovely sweet girl she once was!!!

[Morts!]

Probably not much help, but you've just described my DD who will be 7 in January. I think it's definitely an age thing as our neighbour's daughter the same age is exactly the same too.

I'm hoping she settles eventually, but I'm not holding much hope since she's been like this pretty much since she was born.

[frozie]

Apart from the crying, you have also described my 7yo DS to a tee. I have my fingers crossed it is just a phase.

[Luvmy4]

I have been through "7" four times now. Including teens it is by far my least favourite age.
What worked for me was when they started with the back chat or whining etc I just ended the conversation telling them
"I am not having this conversation while you are like this when you can speak correctly come & see me."

I refused to get drawn into arguing with them & I will only tell them something once. If They do not do as they are told there is a consequence ie if they don't set the table when asked I just do it then they have to do the backyard doggy poop scoop

[lucky 2]

She sounds pretty tired..
My dd just turned 8 and she sounds just like my dd tonight after I picked her up from after care at 6pm, she was "over-cooked", totally impossible, couldn't follow simple instructions, crying and throwing herself all over the place.
I was hanging out for bedtime and she was hell bent on delaying and complicating everything.
Thank goodness she didn't have homework to do as well, that would just send us both over the edge.
I was the worst parent in the world tonight .

[Aribika]

I agree with Luvmy4. 7 is a bad age! My Ds 2 is 7 and I have had this conversation with several other parents lately. I remember that the year my DS 1 was 7 was hard work and here we are again. Attitude!

My only advice is listen when they need you but don't take any crap!

Good luck.

Lorraine

[klbseb]

Yes, 7 is a horrible age, they do grow out of it for a while, then puberty hits.

My DD2 is exhausted when she gets home from school (I work full time and the earliest we get home is 6pm). So we have the following routine:

* She does homework at After School Care
* When we get home, she gets her lunchbox out of her bag and then gets changed for bed (we shower in the morning, easier for all of us)
* She helps feed the animals (picks up the plates and puts them out)
* Dinner, reading, bed

Take no crap from them, but as others have said, listen and be there for her when she needs you.

[cinnabubble]

I think my just turned six year old is advanced. She's already unspeakably vile.

[LittleMissPink]

It will pass

[Petdombri]

My DS is acting exactly the same way. Is it wrong that I am taking comfort from the fact that others are going through the same crap? I just miss the sweet boy I use to know.