My 7 year old has a very big problem staying focused. I tell him to eat dinner he ends up talking most of the time, and yes I stop him. When he does take a bite it is a speck of food and then he tries to talk again. And pretty much every night he gets in the tub and plays instead of washing himself, only after being told a dozen times to wash and get out does he finilly do it. I don't try to harp him but i do stay on him. It gets SO fustrating though. If anyone has advice it would be much appreciated.
2007-06-04 17:28:03 · 6 answers · asked by Sun of the Dark 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
let him talk and play. geez you harping on him is making it worse. he has to sit still and quiet all day at school let him talk while he eats. so what if he plays in his bath water. he will wash too hes a child let him act like it sheesh
2007-06-04 18:41:57 · answer #1 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had very similar problems with my 7 year old, and felt that he did need the discipline and to follow what I say but I did not want to jeopardize his spirit because he is a lot of fun and has a great personality. He just did not like rules. As a frustrated parent I did what you are doing and tried to get advice.
The one thing that frustrated me was saying the same thing over and over again. The best advice I got was when you tell them something, you tell them once and that you are not going to repeat it. Let him know the consequences if he does not listen and then you absolutely have to follow through. After a dozen or so times they finally get the message.
You can also use the backdoor trick and let him know that if he follows your rules and will get special rewards. Tell him if he takes his bath and washes right away he can have his playtime in the tub and that you will read him an extra bedtime story. Make his responsibilities feel important so that he feels important and rewarded for a job well done.
Good Luck
2007-06-05 11:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by maree s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your 7 year old needs to have feed back when he is talking to you besides be quiet and eat.Try to show him that you can eat and talk at the same time. If he only eats a speck a food don't worry about that when he gets hungry he will eat. He won't starve himself. It is totally natural for kids to get into the bathtub and play maybe if you can get him to scrub himself then play or let him play first then scrub himself and trust that he does so. When he is ready to get out and you see that he isn't cleaned make him get back in the tub and you scrub him clean(chances are he won't like that). This might go on a few times and then you won't have to keep harping on him. Good luck!
2007-06-05 03:02:29 · answer #3 · answered by Lee M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a thought but perhaps he has Attention Deficet Disorder? I do and it is very hard at times to stay focused on what I am doing. I often will start several projects at once and leave things partially finished because I am easily distracted. I take Adderall now and it has helped immensly. Make him an appointment with your pediatrician.
Best wishes!
2007-06-05 00:35:59 · answer #4 · answered by blondbrainserenity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may have ADD....however he may just very well be acting like a kid.....some kids just love to talk, have fun while taking a bath.....basically they love doing the opposite of what we tell them to do.....sometimes its a phase other times its a real problem such as ADD...if it is making you so frustrated then maybe you should talk to his pediatrician about you concern....he may have him evaluated for ADD....or just tell you that your crazy (no offense) and just let him act like a kid..either way i hope your frustration eases up a little....
2007-06-05 00:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by adrik c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the diet - change the behavior..................
NO JUNK FOODS AND NO SWEETS!!!
2007-06-05 17:37:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋