How do you break a child from being stubborn?

Question

My son turns 5 this month. He is SO stubborn! I have tried multiple ways of discipline and nothing seems to work. Once he gets an idea into his head whether its good or bad, it is so hard to change his mind! I need help he starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks and I don't want him to continue to be stubborn.

Answer 1

I don`t think discipline is the answer for a five year old being stubborn. The more you argue with him the less likely he will be to do what you want. Allow him to make some decisions and when he is calm and is sensible, give him lots of encouragement and praise.  

Answer 2

I have a 9 yr old who is like that.  I have found that you can't discipline them for being stubborn.  They have their own view of what's good and what's bad. Let them make their own choice (I KNOW it's hard to do), then explain that there are consequences for the choices he makes.  Make sure there are good consequences for his good choices (verbal praise, incentive charts, etc...).  You will have to stick with it and you will have to remain calm (again, I KNOW it is hard to do).  The more angry and vocal you get, the more stubborn the will get.

There is no punishment to great, no bribe to big to get my son to get through to my son when he is in one of his moods.  He tends to literally shut down, staring at me with blank eyes not responding to me in any way.  I usually say "I understand that you don't feel like talkiing right now, but we do have to talk about this.  Until you feel like it, you won't be able to watch TV (play outside, ride your bike - whatever)."  It was 4 hours the first time it happened (about 3 years ago), it's now usually 10 minutes.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The only way you can help a child break out of his bad habits is to have consistency in the way you discipline them. If you tell them no one day and then the next yes they wont ever take you seriously. It does not happen over night either it takes time and may get frusterating but it pays off in the long run. For example if your child is throwing a tantrum for any reason lets use bed time if they do not want to go to bed then you put them in there bed tuck them in and look directly at them and say it is time for bed we have to get up early so I expect you to stay there good night I love you. If he gets out you do not say a word and tuck him right back into bed, you continue to do this. You are the parent children need to learn that you are the boss and there will be no debating. It may take 20 times each time you put him back to bed without saying a word You may get tired but I promise you it works and my dear it is going to hurt you way more then it hurts him he is just trying to to get his way. You also use this step with time out when he is doing something bad , you sit him in his chair look directly at him and tell him what you did was wrong so I have to punish you and you tell him he has 5 minutes or whatever in his chair to think about what he has done and again he may fight you, but you keep putting him back without saying a word. Then when he is finished with his time out you ask for an apology and you see if he understands what he did was wrong and tell him mommy did not like doing this it made me feel bad to but you need to learn how to be a good boy. If you are consistent I promise you it will work. Now if you do decide to go this route always do it with love but be stern. This has worked for many families but it only works if you stick with it. Good luck my dear and God bless you and your family. Believe me I have been there and I have an 11 year old very well behaved  son that is loving and very happy and we have a great relationship.  Take care.

Answer 4

its hard its only a phase thoguh i think it will be okay

Answer 5

Define "stubborn".  He has a mind of his own - relish his independence.