Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

Well Megan isn't exactly 5 just yet. At the end of August she will be. Not sure how that happened but we are there. Full time Kindergarten in September and it's BREAKING MY HEART..

But now on to more honest issues..

Are THEY DRIVING YOU CRAZY?????????????


It's like she's stuck between being a baby and a big girl. I am trying to have her become more independent and its just not happening. She won't get dressed by herself, won't put her shoes on by herself yet everything I do is WRONG! Even when we play now, she reprimands me over and over because I am not "playing the right way." It drives me NUTS!!!

We are also at a point where she listens to NOTHING. I have to repeat myself over and over and when she finally does hear me, she doesnt do what I ask. I have tried everything. Nothing works. The only thing that has continued to work at all is the 1, 2, 3 method but I am afraid she is going to finally learn that I got nothing up my sleeve on 3 and that will be out the window too!

Dont get me wrong. She has grown into my little best friend. My heart breaks that she will be in school for 7 hours a day starting in September, I feel like I am losing a piece of myself. She amazes me each and every day..learns things SO FAST..has taken an interest in learning to read and is funny as H ell! But the behavior issues is gonna drive me to drink!

Please tell me I am not alone! Please! I know there are so many of us with the same age kids. Please share with me! Thanks guys!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

OMG you are so not alone. My DS starting exhibiting EXACTLY the same behavior about a month prior to his 5th bday. That was only a couple of months ago... it is still happening. He is defiant, demanding, and DEAF! I have also resorted to the 123 method b/c reasoning with him doesn't work anymore. I actually took him to the dr. for a hearing check, but he is totally fine... just not paying attention or ignoring me on purpose!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

I can commiserate with you. DD is 5, and doing all of those things as well. Defiant to the point of detrimenting herself. Arguing for no reason, refusing to do things she used to do, etc, etc.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

I got one here too!!

With the exception of dressing herself. She does that and I am not allowed to help at all The attitude is out of control though! I wonder if it's a girl thing because I don't remember DS acting like this at all!

My almost 8 year old son on the other hand still wants me to dress him!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

DS who will be 5 early September has some behavior issues right now too. He also seems to want both worlds. He acts very toddlerish sometimes and then most of the times he's such a big boy. He is the opposite as far as doing things himself. He HAS to pick out his own clothes and get himself dressed, etc. But, he is VERY lazy with other things. He also does not listen AT ALL. We have to repeat ourselves so many times. And then even after he's looking straight at you after responding to what he asked, he'll ask AGAIN! I don't get it! We have to call him so many times just to get his attention. Very frustrating! He also has been VERY sensitive for some reason? All you have to do is look at him funny and he starts crying? Haven't figured that one out yet? And he has a little attitude when he wants to, but I think that has to do with watching his older brother. Then other times what he does or says is just so grown up sounding and acting. They grow up way too fast!

I can't believe I have a 7 yr old and he wears a Boys Size 10!

ETA: He is still very much into wanting to cuddle with mommy at bedtime which I won't complain about. My older wants to too, but that is also a bedtime stall.

Message edited 7/18/2011 9:03:39 AM.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

Oh I am so happy I am not alone!!

And don't get me wrong..just because she won't dress herself, doesnt mean that she doesnt want to make all the decisions. Every decision I make, I wait for the argument. I choose one outfit, it's a meltdown until she chooses what she wants. But this is with EVERYTHING. If I say sit on this chair, she wants to sit on a different one..if I say let's walk this way, she has a meltdown because she wants to walk the other way. It's soooo stressful!! I am always just waiting for the next complaint! She TRIES to answer me back..but she doesnt get far with that AT ALL! She gets "the look," and she understands she went too far!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

I would try to transition to having her dress herself before school starts. We didn't and DS's K teacher told us that he wasn't showing as many signs of independence (with school work) as others. once he started dressing himself in the morning, things began to change.


As for the listening, I think it's age appropriate. We have DS stop and look at us and repeat what we have said.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

My almost 5 year old goes from being the sweetest little girl to the biggest witch in the matter of seconds.

She becomes so nasty. She will throw her fit for a few minutes, then snap...she is back to being herself.

Nothing works with her either.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

I can totally sympathize! My 5 year old son is the exact same way. Especially the part about playing games. If I don't play the exact way he gets soo mad! He throws fits if something he is working on doesn't come out the way he wants it to, and he needs to be told 30 times before he even hears what I tell him to do. It's driving me insane. He is sooooo sweet when he wants to be good but lately, it's his way or no way. I'm going nuts here!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

I am there with you with the school coming up part. My son was 5 in May and he's my youngest. I didn't feel the impact of my oldest going to school - it was all new to me, I had other children at home, I was kind of happy to get a few hours with one less in the house. With my middle one, my DD was always very independent and again, I still had my youngest at home. Now my youngest is going to K and I already know I'm going to be weeping. First of all, he's very attached to me, my other 2 were not Mama's boy or Mama's girl. He's very cuddly and in love with me (and vice versa) He's such a good boy too - dont get me wrong I love all my kids but my oldest is really bright but a challenging child, my DD is Ms. Independence, but this one is my Mama's boy, I am dying that he's going. Second, he has apraxia of speech so I worry about his well being when it comes to being heard and finding his way. He's really making strides this summer so I know he will be OK but I worry of course and I want to hang onto him for selfish purposes. I want to be excited for him and the new chapter of his life but I still want him home.

Wow, I will need a support group when school starts.

ETA: My DS isn't giving me any stress at all, he has always been very easy going and still is. Hopefully I don't post again tomorrow that I jinxed myself. But I've been there and am still living it with my others if that means anything esp my 8 1/2 yr old. Ay yi yi! Everything is an argument!!!!!

Message edited 7/18/2011 11:02:35 PM.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

Thanks for posting this! So glad I am not alone.

MY DD is gonna be 5 in October. She is so argumentative all the time... she answers back and is sooo fresh. Everything resorts to "do it or else" line of reasoning or the 1, 2, 3.. it's just sooo frustrating.

ANd she is soo mean to her little brother it is unreal!!!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

you have described my 5 yr old DD to a tee recently. Ive been told its just a phase.

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

You are so not alone and it's good to know that I am not either. My son is 5 and 4 months. He can get dressed and ready when it works for him, but not so much when I am running late and we have to be somewhere. I too have resorted to the 1, 2 and 3 but luckily he knows I mean business and he will lose priviledges if I get to 3. Some days are really trying and other times they are so precious and I keep telling myself that I must cherish these days. I have been so concerned that his behavior will change as he begins school but I seem to forget that Pre-k was his introduction to various behavioral traits. At the end of the day, I am the mean one but at the very least, he is a good kid for others. It is a daily challenge! Hang in there.

Good luck!

Re: Can we talk about our 5 year olds?

Yes, Kerri has started a little with the attitude (whine, don't listen) but we really nip that in the bud. For the most part she is pretty independent, brushes teeth, dresses herself all on her own. She is a bit on the quieter side so I am thrilled she will be in K in Sept to make some friends (maybe I will too;)