Does anyone one know the best way to get a free willed 8yr old boy to behave at school and home?

Answer 1

It's nice to see a person with his own mind, not a 'yes' man. It's free spirited people who liven us up. Just tell him what you would like him to do and let him work it out. He will have time enough to walk in step when he grows up. I was not easy at school but the teachers let me be myself, within reason. I can understand that sometimes you are exasperated but wait till you get a child who hangs around you all day, bored, no initiative.
I have 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grand children.

Answer 2

Is there a chance your choice of the word, "free-willed", is an indication that when he was younger you didn't believe in telling him how to behave in different settings? Some parents don't tell their kids, for example, that when they go to school they need to sit and listen (and run around at recess or after school). The importance of behaving in a certain setting just isn't conveyed to the young child, and then when they get older it gets worse. I'm not saying this is you. I'm just wondering if it is.

I'm not assuming you haven't tried this, but how about just calmly talking to him and telling him he can act as nutty or wild as he wants out in the yard with his friends, but he can't act up in school. Tell him there are some basic rules for the house - no throwing balls in the living room, no jumping on the furniture, no hurting anyone or anything. Tell him you don't expect much, but you want a peaceful situation in your home; and if he doesn't behave in school the school people are going to tell you to bring him to a doctor.

It could work if you tell him the other kids think he's a baby if he can't behave as well as the other kids do in school.

Consider that he could have ADHD, and maybe that would be worth a trip to a doctor for an evaluation.

If you keep some basic rules but stress that those few rules are really important (tell him why) maybe it would get through to him. Tell him you want him to be free to have fun, but there's a time and a place; and it isn't fun if you can't follow a few rules and end up getting put in the Special Needs class because you can't behave

After all the calm talking, try to set up a plan with him with regard to what happens if the teacher tells you he isn't behaving. Agree that if that happens he'll have to do without television or without going out after school, and stick with that. Try, too, to make it a point to spend time with just him by himself and talk and have a nice time together.

Answer 3

My cousin has a free willed 6 year old and the school has started him on a rewards program, not a punishment program. When he behaves during different parts of the school day, he gets a sticker or star. After so many stars, he gets a special activity during his recess time. There is very little negative reinforcement. Talk with your school about alternative types of discipline. I also have a friend who has started this program at home for her 7 year old. She keeps a chart of every time he behaves and gives him something special for his good behavior. And trys to downplay the bad behavior

Answer 4

If my daughter doesn't do what the teacher told her too or is fustrating the teacher which is disrespectful, she gets TV taken away for a day or two depending and that worked for me. She has gotten an award for improved behavior. Plus I tell her positive encouraging things about herself and that ir t is good to be independent just not during classtime. Do what the teacher says, listen for her voice to see if she's talking to oyuo. Be aware and self control, . At recess, at home, at play BE FREE.

Answer 5

I'm hoping that the stuff that he's doing is minor and not major things.
Are you sure it's free willed, or is he rebelling or trying to get more attention from you.
Have things changed in your life lately?
Sorry, there just isn't enough information to really help you.

Answer 6

Most of the time...A child's behavior is a reflection of their parents...99% of the time.at least!!!

..so maybe u need to spend some time with your child dicipling him and acting like a mother should act??