When a child is hitting, or destructive
2010, on the Always Learning list:
I have a middle son 6yrs. who will often through objects at other family members, especially his older brother 8yrs., when he gets mad. It is usually a result of some form of teasing, name calling or wildness that has gotten out of control. I try and always listen to their play to catch things before they reach that level but we have a big yard and it can be difficult to always be there.
I have talked to the older brother about not pushing to the point where his younger brother explodes and I tried a code word they could use to try and avoid those situations. That worked for a while but I feel like I am not getting to the root of what is happening for the middle son. I try and validate his angry feelings and talk to him about other options but I think when he gets fired up he sees revenge as the most satifying one to him.
I am concerned that he will hurt someone as he
will throw rocks and heavy objects. He really hates it when I suggest to breathe, maybe I don't do it in the right way? This is not really typical of our family though my husband is quicker to anger than I. Hoping for some wisdom to help us past this to a better way of being from some more experienced mothers.
Schuyler Waynforth responded with a quote from Deb Lewis on another list, but it all seemed really applicable, so I've saved it here.
Deb Lewis recently wrote a wonderful post about spending more time with a child who was/is being destructive. I'm gonna just rip it from the unschoolbasics archives and post it here:
***My ds is 4 and he takes tools (real, toy, knives, whatever he can
find
that he can alter
something with) and digs, cuts, scrapes
into one of the windowsills and one
particular
part of the living room wall.***
Where are you when he digs the windowsills or
walls?
If you know he's likely to do it (because he's done it before) you should be
with him.
***For the most part he'll stop
when redirected, or told
why it's not ok. ***
But he does it
again? After you told him why it's not ok?
He needs you with him
more, then.
***he will hit or throw things at his sister when she doesn't want to play
with
him. He won't be dissuaded by our
attempts to get him focused on something
else, playing with dh or me, helping us with something***
It seems like he needs more direct
attention from you so that he's not left
to dig walls or depend on
his sister to be his play mate.
Busy moms sometimes forget how
much four year olds still need attention.
They can seem so mature
about so many things - able to get snacks and
drinks, able to work
the TV and DVR and computer. But they really need mom
attention.
If you are doing housework or on the computer while he's doing
his
own thing, he's on his own too much. Play with him a lot while his
sister is in school. Get out and do things together, even if that's just
digging a big hole in the garden. Be right with him, be his companion.
Helping him find appropriate things to bang up and destroy is fine but it
has to come with the attention and companionship he's craving or it won't
be
enough.
If being destructive is his outlet for feelings of frustration or loneliness
you can change that. If he has
opportunity to destroy appropriate things
but still feels frustrated or lonely, he might find other, possibly more
destructive outlets. Don't expect the act of destruction to fulfill him.
*You* are the
only thing that can fulfill him. Your time, your attention.
You've said he's not polite, he's destructive and he's hurting his sister,
you should be with him all the time. If that means leaving housework until
your partner gets home, or waiting to get on the computer until
he's asleep,
then that's what it means right now. He's growing and
changing and won't be
four forever.
Deb Lewis
So, that's what I'd say, spend more time with your 6 year old son. Don't expect your 8 year old to be his playmate. Be present a lot, a lot more.
Schuyler
Pam Sorooshian;
-=-I have talked to the older brother about not pushing to the point
where his younger brother explodes and I tried a code word they could
use to try and avoid those situations.-=-
I'm assuming there are long periods of time that they do play happily
together, right? Which is why you get a bit complacent and then they erupt?
I had three girls who played together really happily much of the time,
but the middle one would sometimes explode in anger. I now know, after
years of trial and error, the solution. More separate time! The more
time they are separated, the more they enjoy the time they have to play
together. Find reasons to take one with you when you go out. Set up play
dates for just one. Invite a friend over for one and do something
special with the others. And so on.
-pam
When Siblings Fight
More on peace between siblings
Attitude and Unschooling
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