What would you suggest as a natural consequence for teasing/bugging a younger sister? My 7 yo DS sometimes gets in a really buggy mood and will drive his 6 yo sister crazy... our intervention is usually something like 'please stop (singing/barking/banging/whatever) - it's bothering your sister'. We've had longer discussions asking him how he feels when his cousin or friend does something on purpose to bother him, and he understands and clearly sees it from her point of view, after the fact. He just sometimes gets in a mood where he is bored/worked up and takes it out on her... 
When possible I remove him from whatever situation we're in (after a warning). For example, if we're eating dinner, and he's making up rhymes about her, we'll ask him to stop, try to start another conversation (like ask one of them how their day was, or ask what they'd like to do after supper), and continue eating... if he persists or starts some other annoying activity (kicking her chair, or whatever), he is asked to finish his meal in the other dining room. The thinking is that if he isn't being respectful and sociable at the table, he can't sit with us. At 7 yo I think this is appropriate. I don't want to resort to taking away after dinner priviledges, for example, as it doesn't seem like a reasonable consequence... what do you think?
When possible, I've also tried redirecting him - as in, why don't you play basketball for a while - it'll help you get rid of some of your restlesness..
Unfortunately, removing him from the situation or redirecting his energy isn't always possible (sitting in car for example). Any suggestions or alternate strategies?
Oh, we've also tried talking to our daughter, who invariably overreacts, prompting further teasing, about how if she calmly asks him to stop, or ignores the behaviour, he will probably stop enjoying it so much. Instead, she often shrieks 'stop it', in true pirate form...
We recognize that there are two children involved in these interactions, but feel that he is almost always the instigator...
Advice would be welcome as what we're doing doesn't seem to be very effective... we repeat this process at least once a day!
When possible I remove him from whatever situation we're in (after a warning). For example, if we're eating dinner, and he's making up rhymes about her, we'll ask him to stop, try to start another conversation (like ask one of them how their day was, or ask what they'd like to do after supper), and continue eating... if he persists or starts some other annoying activity (kicking her chair, or whatever), he is asked to finish his meal in the other dining room. The thinking is that if he isn't being respectful and sociable at the table, he can't sit with us. At 7 yo I think this is appropriate. I don't want to resort to taking away after dinner priviledges, for example, as it doesn't seem like a reasonable consequence... what do you think?
When possible, I've also tried redirecting him - as in, why don't you play basketball for a while - it'll help you get rid of some of your restlesness..
Unfortunately, removing him from the situation or redirecting his energy isn't always possible (sitting in car for example). Any suggestions or alternate strategies?
Oh, we've also tried talking to our daughter, who invariably overreacts, prompting further teasing, about how if she calmly asks him to stop, or ignores the behaviour, he will probably stop enjoying it so much. Instead, she often shrieks 'stop it', in true pirate form...
We recognize that there are two children involved in these interactions, but feel that he is almost always the instigator...Advice would be welcome as what we're doing doesn't seem to be very effective... we repeat this process at least once a day!
