5 yr old who covers his ears when he's in trouble.?

Question

I try telling him why what he did was wrong but he just covers his ears and pretends he isn't listening. I'm worried that he'll never pay attention to authority.

I'm his babysitter. He gets mad and throws stuff in the floor. I ask him to remember that he isn't supposed to throw stuff in the house, but like I said, he doesn't think he has to listen.

Is there any way I can handle this situation as a sitter even though I'm not related to the child? The mom dosn't really help because she's really busy and can't take the time to deal with such a small problem.

Answer 1

Small problem?

It is a CHILD for GOD'S sake not a puppy.The mother needs to get her head out of her butt and spank that brat and MAKE him listen and tell him  that he is to respect AND listen to you and if he doesn't YOU have the authority to spank the living daylights out of him.

My mom had me when I was about 3 spend the night at a neighbor's house.His name was Mr. walker.His boy's name was skip.She was having my little brother is why I had to spend the night.Me and skip kept giggling and Mr. walker warned us if we didn't quieten down he would come in there with a belt, I didn't know if he would spank me or not.Anyway, a few minutes later here he came with a belt, pulled back the covers and let US BOTH have it. We quietened down after that, and he said he was sorry he had to do that but he would again if necessary.The next day I told my  parents, they said"you should have quietened down when he told you the first time."We learned to respect adults and those in authority at an early age.

Answer 2

Instead of you telling him what the problem is, ask him to tell you.  Ask him to tell you why whatever he did wasn't safe & polite.  Ask him to tell you what he should do to make it better & to try not to do it next time.  

Get him talking.  If he's talking, he can't hear himself if he covers his ears.

Answer 3

It's obvious that this kid is headed for trouble.  Being his babysitter, there's not much you can do.  You can, however, learn how to teach him using positive reinforcement and stop yelling at the kid.

Answer 4

I agree with the natural consequences- thrown toy = put up out of reach toy.

I also definately WOULD talk to mom about it.  It is her child , and she probably is experiencing some of the same behviors at home: so maybe she could give you some insight on how its handled there.  this has the added benefit for all of you becuase the "reaction" to the behavior is very similar.  No matter how busy she seems to be, I am sure (being a mom myself) that she would like to know.

Answer 5

tie his arms to a chair that he can't pick up.

ha.

Answer 6

Clamp his arms to his side and (lightly) sit on his feet so he doesn't kick and tell him what he needs to hear. He may yell but he'll tire himself out at some point.

Answer 7

Sounds like this kid really doesn't have parents.  When they are around they yell (the holding his hands on his ears thing).  This doesn't sound like a good situation and I have a feeling it will only get worse.  If they are "bad" parents then there probably isn't anything you can do, because you will just get in trouble for disciplining their child

Answer 8

give him a time out thats all there is to it its mean but he needs to know who's boss.

-ashton

Answer 9

No one likes to be lecutred, especially by someone who isn't their parent.  Shut up, when he misbehaves put him in time out and don't lecture him.

Answer 10

That's an interesting reaction. I wonder if he's used to someone shouting at him when he's done something wrong, not you, but one of his parents or someone else. He may cover his ears as a defensive mechanism.

I know it's difficult, but try to remain calm. Then try to use logical consequences. For instance, if he is throwing his stuff on the floor, let him know that if he does it again, that toy will be taken away from him while you are there.

Also try engaging him in activities you both do together; reading, an educational video game, or playing outside together. If he pulls his "hear no evil" act, tell him you can't play with someone who can't hear you.

Good luck.