My 6 Year Old Grand Daughter Cut All Her Stuffed Animals and Tore Out All the St

She may be expressing anger about something, or copying something she saw on TV. She may also be wanting attention and knows that by vandalizing objects, she will get some sort of attention. I work full-time, and my daughter never did any of these things so no, the fact her mother works is not the reason. It could be one of MANY reasons she is angry about being ignored, bullied, or what have you, but it is not THE main reason she is resorting to this. Maybe she is resenting the attention her little brother is getting? The only way to find out is to try to ask her, or going to therapy.

That type of behavior is either borne of anger, or a plea for attention, or a way to express something that words can't define.

Many many mothers and fathers work long hours, but their children are well-cared for, and are well-adjusted.

The issue seems to be that this little girl was left alone with a sharp implement long enough to ruin lots of toys and pillows. That had to have taken some time, and probably wasn't quiet.

Who watches your grandchildren when her mom/dad is at work? What kind of supervision is in the home? A nanny, a sitter, another parent, or what? Is the girl happy at school, and does she have friends?

What was her parents reaction to this act of anger?

Don't place all this anger on a working mom or on the mom's work hours. By doing so, you may be missing a significant piece of the puzzle.

"Is she acting out because her mom is working all the time?"

So, the "unwritten" issue here is that you believe that your Daughter or Daughter-In-Law should have been a Stay At Home Mother and you are looking for "evidence" to show her the harmful effects of her decision to work?

I doubt that this pillow-cutting is purely a result of a mother having a job.

You should have a talk with your grandaughter - AND with her mother - to figure out some of these issues.

I doubt this is because her mother works. Most kids' parents work and it is NOT damaging to them. It sounds like she needs some supervision (alone long enough to accomplish all that, and with a 3 year old around), and some attention though. I don't want that to sound mean, just that it could be as simple as she was bored or in a curious mood. Maybe her brother was getting more attention? A child therapist would be a good place to start to figure out if she has any anger or insecurities she can't communicate.

This is a cry for help, she is angry about something. I would suggest a child therapist.

What did she say when you asked her about it?

Original post:
"She cut and tore open all her small pillows, stuffed animals and cut all her barbies hair. Is she acting out because her mom is working all the time? She has a 3 year old Brother too."

Response:
I have no idea what her issues are.
Why does a 6 yr old have access to sharp objects that can cut fabric?
She could hurt herself and others.
They don't even use safety scissors at school without supervision at that age.
Parents need to work - my husband and I did - lots of parents do - and our son never threw a tantrum like that.

It's a shame but the damaged stuff gets thrown away and not replaced.
Take away the sharp cutting stuff.
And I'd really want her to see a doctor for evaluation for behavioral issues.

Learning not to destroy stuff is something they learn between 2 and 3 yrs old.
6 yrs old is way too old for this behavior.

Hard to say - when my son was young school age, if he got upset with me (for not being fair as he perceived it) he would ruin things that mattered to him. It was a short phase, when he realized he no longer had 'nice' things.

I got him to use his words, rather do actions that he would regret. I would make sure not to replace the stuffies, etc. at least not yet, so she realizes that damage is done. Will be incentive not to do again.

If she's crying out for attention, I'd be sure she got plenty (of the positive kind, not for ruining her animals) separate from the younger brother. My mom always did things one on one with her grandkids regularly - great bonding time. I make sure to be available to mine individually when I can. Even asking one to come help with cookies, etc. is one on one time.

if you fail to supervise a child with scissors or any other item that is sharp enough to cut fabric then things like this are going to happen because of the child's curiosity. they get to feel how it it to cut something and then wonder what its like to cut this or that and continue till an adult stops them and removes the cutting item from them.
the stuffing is fun to play with, its fluffy, its stretchy, who wouldn't tear it out and play with it?
offer better things to play with that cannot cut things teach the child what is ok to cut and occupy their minds.

Sounds like she needs to see a counselor. There may be something going on that you and even her mom have no clue of.