First of all I want to say that my boys have been good kids for the most part but here lately I don't know what happened. At school all the teachers has bragged on what well mannered and behaved boys we've raised but at home they let loose. Both boys has always been on honor roll and has won many ribbons for citizenship and student of the month etc. so why are they acting like lil terrors when their home. My oldest is turning 10 this month and my youngest is turning 7 in Aug. I will give an example of their behavior. Last night we went out of town to watch a movie and to buy us a small ac for the other end of house. Anyways I told DH to pick since it's Father's day weekend. He picked Pirates of the Carribean. My youngest got mad because it wasn't Fantastic Four and preceeds to mumble and complain on the trip up there and thru the movie. Then when we go to get an ac he wants this toy or that toy. I kept telling him no because the night before we had went somewhere to look at an ac (didn't like what they had) and bought him a toy to share with big bro that cost $20. He said he didn't want that toy he wanted something else. I said tough he had already made his choice. Then he starts singing how he hates his life and nobody likes him. He even said he wished he had a different family. Big bro was seeing how It was making DH and I angry and I heard him tell his lil Bro to stop saying stuff and be quiet to which my youngest son replied that he was going to keep bothering us until he got what he wanted. I was trying to ignore him because I know the more I tried to reason or discipline him in the store that it made matters worse. He's always been a challenge for me because he knows how to push my buttons. I'm just a stressed stay at home mom that feels like I'm failing at parenting lately and would love some advice. Thanks !

I honestly think it's the age!!! I've noticed similar behavior in my almost seven year old. The getting angry when he doesn't get what he wants, the mumbling under his breath, the asking for things constantly........I am at the point where i won't repeat myself over and over.
If he doesn't listen on the first time i tell him once more to stop the behavior and if he doesn't he goes to his room or he looses computer for a day. Make it known that your ticked by the bad behavior and your going to be taking action when they pull this kind of stuff. Consistency is the only thing i can tell you.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

My dd1 just turned 7 in May and I think it might be the age. When she doesn't get her way she now stomps her feet and tells me that I don't like her etc. I am a single mom who works full time and I already have enough guilt.

A few weeks back she had a major meltdown. She was telling me that she didn't think that I loved her. As we sat in the bed and we were talking I asked her to look me straight in the eyes and did she really believe in her heart that I didn't love her and she told me yes. Well I had to leave the room because I was very upset. I went in the other room and started to cry. I then dried my eyes and went back to talk to her and she realized I was upset. Well then she started whining and wanted me to lay with her. I did and she fell asleep. The next morning she woke up and told me that she was feeling better but she still wasn't sure if I loved her. That's when I realized she was playing me. She then proceeded to ask me for several things and I firmly stood my ground.
So now when she is upset and tells me that I hate her I just ingnore her and it passes and next thing you know she is playing and having fun.
She told me the other day all within the same breath that she didn't think I liked her and also that she was lucky to have a MOM like me and how I much love her very much.

Kids they are so cute.