I was really busy with a community outreach thing I do once a year. It tied me up for about a week intensely so the kids were just hanging out and I took school off. I mostly let them do quite activities, alot of DVD's which they dont get a whole lot of normally. I do let them tag along and serve where they can but alot of it they couldnt do. It is like my ds5 punishes me, b/c he didnt get enough "mom time" that week. I told him that not everything is about him and that this week mommy is serving some other people in our community that we really appreciate. (police officers) So I am trying to reestablish the routine and my ds5 is being a stinker. He is being unusually rebellous, mean to his little sister, bad attitude and all around difficult. He can be a difficult child sometimes, strong willed and such, but most of the time I can redirect him. THis week he has been a bear. I used to be very active in ministries and community outreach stuff. I used to go on medical missions trips alot. I have given up alot of that since kids. I just do this one huge project once a year, I do some one on one ministry things but nothing that takes away from family time. I really miss doing ministry, but I know that my children are my most important ministry right now. I just cant figure out how to get this kid to stop acting out! He has done this before when we left him overnight at grandmas for 2 days when we went to the homeschool convention. He was a bear for a week! Anyone else's kids do this? Jill
My kids did that when when spent the weekend at my mom's. They were so used to being spoiled that they came home and acted like they forgot who their parents were for a few days. lol. Now at 9 and 7 they know better. lol. Anyway, our solution was to continue as normal and didn't let their attitude phase us. We almost ignored it unless they required a spanking. lol. This let them know that they were not in charge. They did not have the power to change the normal way of things. lol. Staying calm and continuing on like normal is my advice. OH...wait...if you feel that you didn't spend much time with him...maybe he just needs some mommy time. Tell him that you understand he missed spending time with you and that YOU missed spending time with him. Then plan a little night or a time where you and him can do something special. It can be simple. Play a game...an afternoon of board games or whatever. Maybe he just needs to be reassured that you missed him too. If you had something special going on maybe he needs that too. He will not fully understand community serivice or the value of it. If you can...have him help you next year. Make your family a part of it...so it is a family thing. That is if you can. If not...just explain that this is something you do and promise a special night when it is all over. Just a thought.
My youngest will act this way kind of when we have been really busy for several days in a row. I try to let her pick an activity that we can do together within reason and make it understood that the same old rules still hold.
You're not alone. My children almost always act that way when we've been off our routine. I just have to be very firm and consistent and things usually settle down in a few days. Lisa
I agree with Lisa. Most children do this sort of thing. I know it's not really helpful, but it's nice to know you're child is not just strange...lol.
