"You're mean"

[Hopefulmama]

DD just turned 5. Lately, any time we set any kind of reasonable limits (for example-no rollerskating in the kitchen) DD gets so mad, throws a huge fit, and tells me "You are so mean!". Is this par for the course at this age? I don't know what to do when she acts like that.

[LynnS6]

"You're right. I'm mean, terrible, rotten and it's my job to make sure you're as miserable as possible." My kids get that I'm joking and it usually makes them laugh.

If not, I'd just commiserate and let it be. "It sounds like you're mad."

[philomom]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

"You're right. I'm mean, terrible, rotten and it's my job to make sure you're as miserable as possible." My kids get that I'm joking and it usually makes them laugh.

Excellent!

[One_Girl]

Originally Posted by Hopefulmama

DD just turned 5. Lately, any time we set any kind of reasonable limits (for example-no rollerskating in the kitchen) DD gets so mad, throws a huge fit, and tells me "You are so mean!". Is this par for the course at this age? I don't know what to do when she acts like that.

My dd has gone through phases of saying this. Usually she is feeling like there are a lot of limits but she says it when we reach one limit too many. I suggest acknowledging her feelings of frustration and cutting back on some limits if that is possible. Sometimes dd is just in a life is unfair mood and when I can tell she is I make a joke about me being mean before she says anything to complain about what I am telling her she can't have or needs to do.

[lab]

Yeah. The first time I heard that I listened and validated. But after a couple of times, at five years old....I started saying. It is perfectly fine to think that, it is not okay to say that. That is rude and hurtful.

Good luck