Moody to the Max

Updated on February 24, 2008
J.H. asks from Fort Worth, TX
8 answers

Hey momma.
I have a very moddy 4 year old (almost 5).
Its getting to be a everyday thing were he is crying about something a throwing a super fit. I feel like alot of it is that we live right next door to the boys Great Grandmother that gives him EVERYTHING that he could want and gets away with everything.
We got to stop this stuff before schools starts in the fall. Can you give me any creative ideas for good solid disipline to break this that doesnt involve spanking ( tried it, it doesnt work) Time outs dont affect him. And to be honest taking away priviliges dont work either. Thanks mommas!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you all!!! I am going to give Your advice a try!!!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Dallas on

When my daughter started crying about anything I would take her to her room and sit her in the crying chair. We started this when she was a baby. When she would cry to get her way, we took her to the crying chair, and now anytime she starts to cry she will hold it until she gets into her room and then start crying. I also do this with kids I babysit. They all know that the only place to cry in my house is the crying chair. You can also use the whiners' wall. Make him go sit by a certain part of the wall. You can even make a sign or something that designates it as the whiners' wall. I would def. talk to the Great Grandmother. She probably didn't like it when her family members spoiled her kids to this extent.

Here is another idea. One of my friends had a daughter that threw fits all the time, and one day she just sat down right next to her daugther and threw the biggest fit anyone has ever seen. Her daughter stopped what she was doing and looked at her. I guess she saw how she was acting, because she never threw another fit.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Austin on

When my 3 yr old or 5 year old throw fits I ignore them. Don't even look at him. Walk away and the fit will stop almost immediately because they are wanting your attention. Thats the way I deal with it. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.D.

answers from Dallas on

I think flat out ignoring his behaviour and not giving into him would help.
All four year olds are fairly moody/dramatic. But when my son is having that kind of day, he spends lots of time in his playroom or bedroom by himself.
I just flat out am not dealing with him when he gets that way because it is typically (for him) about manipulating something - and I won't have it.
About Great Granny... if it is your grandmother, talk to her. If it is your husbands' have him talk to her... get your parents involved too (whoever is her child). Everyone needs to be on the same page or you will have to limit their time.
Also - if you could put him into an MDO you will find his maturity level increases. It's about being away from mom and being independent.

GOOD LUCK

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.B.

answers from Houston on

I think the best way to handle it is to ignore it. If he pitches a fit, tell him to go to his room until he is finished because you (and the rest of your family) don't want to listen to it. Tell him he can come out and talk to you when he is ready to speak in a kind voice and not whine. Also, whatever he is whining for, don't give it to him. Make him ask nicely or he doesn't get the things that he wants. I do this very consistently with my 2 year old and she is already learning that if she doesn't ask me nicely for something, then she most definitely won't get it. If she asks nicely and doesn't whine about it, then we can discuss it (this doesn't mean you always have to give in just because he asks nicely either). Ignoring the behavior or making him spend time away from you when he acts that way should stop the problem, but you HAVE to be consistent. They catch on really quickly when you make concessions (even once). He may even up the ante so to speak and the behavior may get worse before it gets better. He will test to see if you will give in if he pitches an even bigger fit than normal. Just be prepared for that and keep your reaction neutral and be consistent. Best of luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Dallas on

The biggest thing is consistency. Pick a method and stick to it always.

For my 4 year old DD the rule is she's not allowed to whine in the kitchen or living room. Doesn't matter why she's whining she has to go to her room. We don't talk to her at all until she stops whining, we just repeat "I'm sorry, I don't understand you when you whine". It's working slowly as long as we are consistent. We've found that if we let it slide once the behaviour returns with a vengeance.

We also implemented a reward system. She has a variety of tasks/behaviors that are required daily to earn a stamp (no whining, staying in bed, good day at school, picking up toys, etc). There are some modest rewards after 10 stamps, bigger after 20 stamps, and so on. She can choose to spend her stamps for a small reward or save them for a bigger one. So far it's working very well. It's providing a good incentive to behave initially and gives us leverage to take away stamps as punishment for any willfull defiance or gross mis-behavior (lying, hitting, etc).

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, this is my 1st time ever doing this. I have a 7 almost 8 year old, and I have a 6 almost 7 year old. My 6 year old cries about everything!!!!!! I have been working on him and working on him. One of the things that I find that is working better than anything is taking away things that he love. He likes his toys, playstation 2, junk food and going to see his grandmother. I start off taking one thing at a time, and as his behavior gets worse I take another then another, its more like grounding him. It have worked some try it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.M.

answers from Waco on

this may sound mean, but i have a moody daughter. she's the youngest, and any little thing (from her socks not being on straight) throws her off. i ignore her when she's throwing her fit. she will scream like she's dying, and then LITERALLY less than 5 minutes later she'll be an angel. but i notice if i try to calm her down it gets worse. I guess its an attention thing?? who knows. but thats what helps us.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.R.

answers from McAllen on

I would try speaking with the other grandma and let her know the difficulty that you are having. Maybe even suggsting both you, your husband and both grandma's be more consistent with your toddler. So that he knows that no one wants him to throw fits.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions