What should I do about my son's behavior?

Question

My son takes swimming lessons. Now, I don't force him to, but it has been a rule with my kids, you learn how to do basic strokes and you can swim at the beach and in deep end pools. I do this because of all of the drownings that happen. My 11 year old, 13 year old and 14 year old have all taken swimming lessons when they were in first grade and they know how to swim. Currently my 6 year old son is learning. At first he did good. He listened to the teachers and never talked back or refused to swim.

However, today when I picked him up from his lesson, the instructor approached me and said "Today your son refused to swim, repeativley talked back to the teachers, hit the other students and mooned me twice when we tried to put him in time out." I took my son home, but this isn't the first time for this behavior. It has happened several times over the past couple of weeks. I've taken away his toys, grounded him, yelled at him, spoken calmly about and done every possible thing. I ask him why he does this and he said "I hate swimming!" but when I told him that ment he couldn't swim in the pool or at the beach and he says "I'll be better."

HELP! What should I do?

Answer 1

I agree with the first answer.

Ask your older children if he said something about the class. Hitting other children could mean he was teased.

Trust your child - find a cozy moment alone with him and have him tell you about the class (don't say what is going on...). A 6 year old isn't very good at judging situations, you need to extract it from him.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need to show him pictures of kids in africa, and if they were that lucky, as he is, what they would do and how respectful and grateful they would be. or....

pull him out of swimming lessons, and dont let him be with his friends. put a guilt trip on him by saying this "YOu know what, fine, you have your way. when we go to the beach and the pool, I'm gonna make you go stay with (your aunt or someone he doesn't like) . I give up. No more swimming lessons or any other lessons for you. It's not going to hurt me at all, or make me feel bad when you have to stay home when we all take a vacation and miss out on it forever. That's completely fine with me. And when you're sorry and crying to me that you didn't behave when you were 6 at swimming lessons, then TOO BAD."

something like that. Hope I help!!!!!!

Answer 3

O.k,  he already told you why he is acting like that, now you need to listen. HE HATE SWIMMING, dont force him to swim. And yeah many kids drowned and died, thats why you suppose to keep an eye on him when he is swimming. He us going to continue to act like that untill you stop forcing him to take the class, and let him go swimming at the beach and in the pool. Also the class might not be fun for him, and right now at his age he just want to have fun. So ask your older kids to think of fun and cool ways to teache your 6 year old how to swim. And see if they will teach him. If he still refuses to swim, that me he really do hate swimming and dont want to do it. So let him have fun and keep an close eye on him at the beach and also the pool.  

Answer 4

He is trying to get your attention.  You have 7 kids and have just had twins.  You are all about your twins right now.  The little guy is trying to get to be top on your list.  Spend some time with him just you and him.  

Answer 5

Personally, if he doesn't want to swim, then don't force him to.  Perhaps if you just let him learn swimming on his own accord in a pleasant environment, then he should be able to pick up stronger swimming.  

My parents always had a pool.  My sister and I did not take swimming lessons.  We learned on our own.  I plan on teaching my son the same way.  We are good swimmers and know how to get out of riptides and what not.  My mother did teach us basics like the back float and back stroke as well as normal swimming.  We swim in the ocean and always swim in the deep end, etc.

My son is going to be four in November, and even though he uses a swim tube, he is still doing great in learning to swim.  But I don't force him to swim and he loves the pool.  Try doing that instead of making him go swimming.

Answer 6

If he wants to bare his bottom, you need to put him over your lap and hand spank him twice his age.

Answer 7

Well, you've got 3 children all close together (14,13,11). Then you've got the baby of the family at 6.

The baby of the family usually comes into the world when mom and dad are doing better financially, they're a little worn out, they're not worried about every single little problem concern and question, and (GENERALLY), the youngest child has it easier.

This means he's usually a little rebel.

I think your son is under the impression that you won't follow through on your punishments. So my best advice is to do so. If swimming is a routine activity for your family, or perhaps going to the beach, your son needs a good time out while watching all the other brothers and sisters enjoy the water.

Overall, six year olds are a handful and I'm sure this little rebellion is not a big deal. But if he gets out of hand again, he's going to be sitting in a chair watching the siblings have fun.

He's got to know that actions have consequences.

Good Luck! Congrats on your 4 little blessings!

Answer 8

Don't let him go back. He acted out,a nd he no longer deserves what his siblings got. Take his television out of his room and whatever else he finds near and dear in his room.

Keep it out of his room and make him stay in his room for about a month, you'll be surprised by the changes

Answer 9

Step 1: Grab his arm and hold on tight

Step 2: Raise your hand above your head

Step 3. Smack him hard across his bottom

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 & 3 until child is begging for mercy

Answer 10

Something is bothering your son. YOu should talk to him and try to get it out of him but on kid terms. He is acting out. Has someone made fun of him, are any of the kids being mean to him, is he not comfortable with is teacher, is anything in the home like a divorce going on? These are just some examples, but he is acting out for attention weather it is bad or good attention. Punishment isn't going to solve this, getting to the bottom of what is causing him stress or bothering him is and listen very carefuly to him but always speak on kid age levels.