Hello!

My son is 6 years old and has some really bad attitude problems, personally I think it is a result of his dad working overseas. I have reassured him that his dad won’t be travelling anymore and that we love him very much however, all I get in response is rude, horrible attitude with a lot of ignoring and backchat! Does anyone have any tips on how can I possible manage my beautiful sons behaviour? Much appreciated x


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  • Sounds that there’s a fear behind his behaviour. I would reinforce and praise him for any positive behaviour he shows and try to be neutral (not punitive) towards negative behaviour. The tricky thing weith negative behaviour is that we accidentally reinforce it by giving it too much attention.
    Make sure to have one on one time with him by both mum and dad and reassure him in patience and love


  • You and your husband need to agree together on boundaries, limits, and so on, so that you are both treating him the same way. It may take a little time, but this should help.


  • If it’s taken six years for him to develop this attitude because his dad works overseas, it could take another six years of dad not working overseas to reverse things. Lots of time and patience will be needed


  • good luck with this


  • How are things going with your son? I hope he’s settled down for you.


  • mikiajai stick with it as it is worth it in the long run


  • at 6 they tend to go through a stage where they know everything and have friends at school who are the same, give him some leeway and see who things go


  • This is very challanging for mum. Hope you find the best solutions.


  • Had a meeting with his teacher the other day he’s been telling his teacher I’m too busy to do his homework with him and he’s been telling me he doesn’t have any, cheeky bugga, just lost his tv at night privileges for another week, it’s his birthday Friday and has lost priveledges for a party with his scho friends, we are getting there just had to stay strong.


  • it can be really hard sometimes hang in there


  • Glad to see you seem to be making progress. Kids can be very challenging at that age.


  • Mine does it too!!! So much change goes on in the life of a six year old. School, friends and at about the age of six the adrenal glands begin to produce androgens, which can cause behaviour similar to what teenagers go through but not to the same degree. So, although he may be anxious about his dad travelling, it could also be exacerbated by a hormone boost. Patience, love and trying to get him to identify his emotions might help. Good luck


  • Kids pick up everything from the environment,other kids, school and TV.. Maybe focus on his positive and set up a rewards chart for good behaviour, when he does good things give him a star/tick etc, and if he is naughty or rude take one away. At the end of each week if he has enough point lets him pick a treat or activity you do together.


  • I like the sound of the boxing bag


  • Thanks we let the boys play footy inside hair to tackle and wrestle around to wear them out but he gets a bit rough on his little brother, we are trying all different things to see a change, have let him stay at his big sisters tonight as a treat see if that makes a difference as he loves seeing his nephew and niece. Let’s hope it’s just being 6, another phase like terrible 2s.


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