Help with effective discipline for a 7yr old.?

Question

My daughter is 7 and very smart. She is a little on the agressive side but s normally a very well behaved kid. I just got a call today that she was sent to the principals office for misbehaving. My husband and I have been a little lax with the discipline with her and we do have some problems with her attitude (talking back, yelling, crying when she doesnt get her way) with in the past year. She has also been hagning out with some girls at school that are not the best influences. Can anyone give me some tips on effective discipline that I can try out during the summer to geet my kid back on track? Personal experience stories would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

PUNISH THE FIRST TIME EVERY TIME. There is no counting, no bribing, no warnings, no nothing. Just consistent punishment. If you count or warn or anything other then immediately punishing your child for behavior you deem not acceptable then you child thinks he has 3 counts or warnings before you punish. Thats not good...............................

You are the parent and you need to take back control of your child. We have a 6 yr old son and went through a similar situation. At one point all he had in his room was his bed and clothes, we made him earn his stuff back. If he was bad after getting something back, we took back what he got back the day before. Its been 2 months since got his last toy back and we havent had a problem since.

Answer 2

You're talking about 7 year olds, how much of a bad influence can they be?  If you're really concerned about the other girls, I would be proactive about it and invite them over so that you can (in a positive way) show them more appropriate ways to behave.  Let them see what boundaries your daughter has and how when she behaves well, she gets rewarded well.

I think you're over-reacting a little.  I have 7y.o. twin boys and they have been sent to the office numerous times for bad behaviour.  It's just the nature of 7 year olds, and even the school realizes it.  It's completely normal for girls that age to have that attitude issue.  Just continue to correct her and let her know what is acceptable and not.  You'll find alot of it she does for attention or just to get a reaction, so ignoring the behaviour (but not her) will be a good strategy.

Other things I do with my kids are try to prevent the behaviour my making sure that they have things to do, healthy snacks available, and give them enough attention.  I also take toys away, or privileges.  They love to use the indoor swimming pool in our building, so I use that as a reinforcer/reward.

Answer 3

i was the same, i still am a bit

my mum stops me hanging out with those people on week ends, and the more phone calls or letters from school i get the more of my belongings she will take, so take her favourite things one by one until she learns to behave and then she will get them back, and maybe u will take her out when shes good, for some one on one time with mum :D

Answer 4

She just needs and attitude adjustment. Spank her bottom, while making it clear that her repeating the same kind of behavior will get her another spanking, and she will stop.  You have to make it hard enough and long enough that she will really not want another one, otherwise she will likely misbehave again.

Answer 5

Inconsistency is the equivalent of a slot machine.  Without consistent discipline your child will feel that the benefit of doing what she feels like will out weigh the chance of punishment.  If it only comes every 3rd or 4th time she will feel like she's getting 4 misbehaving incidences for 1 spanking or time out or whatever.  Whatever you choose, be consistent and be sure she knows you intend to punish her for each act.  I have a 6 yr old boy, but a friend of mine has a girl.  She also had problems with smart talking and I think her method is awesome (and it works).  She has her little girl swallow a teaspoon of vinegar for "sassing".  That little girl has started to think about talking back before she does it.  Good luck.  Don't give up being consistent. <><

Answer 6

I am a firm believer in the 1-2-3 method...I use it with my 6 & 8 year old and have ben for 2 years. It is a very simple method, I took a class about it instead of buying the book, and the kids catch on so quick.

Regardless of the method you choose just be consistent in discipline and if you tell your child you are going to take a toy away...take the toy away. I would say those are the two most important keys to effective discipline: consistency and backing words with action.

Answer 7

1-2-3 Magic.  It is a parenting book that teaches a discipline method.  When she starts acting up you say one.  If she acts up again you say two.  The next time she acts up, say three!  Then she has a timne-out for thirty minutes.  The book explains it better.

Answer 8

I would just talk to her about it. I would tell her that she should not hurt people and hang out with a good crowd. If she will not stop hanging out with these other girls than tell her no to start acting like them. I hope this helped!

-Tara

Answer 9

TAKE HER TO MILITARY SCHOOL.And here's a story.My neighbor's daughter was the same way.The mother was sick and tired of it so she sent her to military school.After 3 months she came back.She was a brand new girl! She stopped hanging out with her old friends,her grades improved,and she was helping her mother more around the house.Me and her are best friends now.She is the same age as me(14).So i think military school should help her alot.

Answer 10

If she's smart, don't tell her what's going to happen when/if she does something wrong. That will just get her started thinking about whether it's worth the punishment to do it anyway.

If she does something you've told her not to do, say, "Oh, I wish you hadn't done that. Now I'm going to have to think about what to do," and leave the room. Talk to your husband, read a book, ignore her until you've decided on something. Then, when you're calm and sure, tell her what you've decided. Allow no discussion.

On the upside, when you see her getting upset, but before she's started the crying, etc. ask if she needs a hug. She may be able to get help for the frustration before she behaves badly.

Answer 11

I wish I could help! I too have a 7 yr old daughter and she too is very smart. We have had trouble (well always really) more so in the last 6 weeks! She is sneaky and can tell a lie with the best poker face I have ever seen! She also never ever says she is sorry! She is sweet and loving, but a huge sneak and fibber! I am hoping to take some of the advice you get and try it myself!

Good Luck with your little girl!!!