Do you have a strong willed child?

Question

What strategies do you use to help shape him/her? I am just looking for some ideas. I have a very strong willed 7 year old and I am trying my best to shape him into the person I know he can be without destroying his spirit. He seems determined to be unhappy. We tell him all the time how much we love him and we spend quality time with him but it doesn't seem like enough.

I am going to make it a priority to eat together at the dinner table at least 5 times a week. Do any of you do that, and do you feel its a huge benefit? Before we were only doing it 2-3 times a week. Thank you

Answer 1

having th whole family sit at the table at meal times together is a real benefit...has encouraged my three year old to eat her meals too. also getting them to help clear up and chat about what they would like to do after etc.

Answer 2

One word.. spanking!

It worked in the 60's and still works today.

Answer 3

we never did it before but we do now. its only a phase h**l grow out of it. maybe therapy something could be bothering him.

Answer 4

I think it helps. We always make sure we sit at the dinner table and make time to talk about our day. This is the ideal way to get information out of him without him feeling isolated as you would all be discussing things.

You could try letting him invite his friends around more or encourage him to make more friends in a club or something.

As for being strong willed, my son is strong willed and I think as long as your a good role model and teach him the important things in life, you can't go wrong. He will come round eventually.