My 6 year old son has a mind of his own. He thinks he can do whatever he wants and I just don't know what to do anymore. I try not to be the its my way or the highway kind of mom; I reason with him and always try to be respectful because my relationship with my parents was ruined because of how they dealt with my behaviour and disciplined me and I do not want that to happen with my son and I.
For example this weekend we took a family vacation and yes I understand that kids are excited and what not but I do not think I can just play this off as boys being boys. He asked if he could have this candy coated popcorn I said no let's choose a healthier snack, so he goes to his stepdad and I thought he was just getting him to get something else but no he comes out with the flipping popcorn I said no to. I took it away and later made him throw it out, but he didn't even seem to care that he was throwing it out which in hind site i should have thrown it out right when we bought it. Later he asked what was in a box I was holding; I said that was his step dads adult item and to leave it alone. Thirty seconds later he opens the box and is waving it around saying what is this? I flipped out and told him he can't be doing whatever he wants and he needs to listen to me. Last night was the tip of the iceberg, we were goofing around with him and his 9 month old brother and he smacks me with his book not hard or forceful but enough that I told him that was not a nice thing to do and he cannot be hitting people. A couple minutes later I was pretending to be the baby and him and his little brother were the dads and out of nowhere he punches me in the back and tells me I can't be a baby anymore! WTF!! I sent him right to bed without a story told him he needs to use his words not his fists if he needs something. So he's balling and screaming in his room and said he wants to talk to me; I go up there and he said he's sorry he overreacts all the time and doesn't know how to deal with his emotions. He still wanted a story I said no it was bed. So he comes downstairs at least two more times for I don't even know what I finally threatened him and said if you come down one more time you're grounded.
I do not want to have to threaten the kid to get him to listen to me, but it's like he thinks I'm a joke. He is a very smart kid, well above the average for his class, so I dont know if he actually has no idea how to control his emotions or if he thinks He can get away with this all by saying that. I have no idea how to discipline him or get him to listen anymore. If someone had some suggestions and advice for peaceful parenting and gentle diaciplne I would appreciate it.
For example this weekend we took a family vacation and yes I understand that kids are excited and what not but I do not think I can just play this off as boys being boys. He asked if he could have this candy coated popcorn I said no let's choose a healthier snack, so he goes to his stepdad and I thought he was just getting him to get something else but no he comes out with the flipping popcorn I said no to. I took it away and later made him throw it out, but he didn't even seem to care that he was throwing it out which in hind site i should have thrown it out right when we bought it. Later he asked what was in a box I was holding; I said that was his step dads adult item and to leave it alone. Thirty seconds later he opens the box and is waving it around saying what is this? I flipped out and told him he can't be doing whatever he wants and he needs to listen to me. Last night was the tip of the iceberg, we were goofing around with him and his 9 month old brother and he smacks me with his book not hard or forceful but enough that I told him that was not a nice thing to do and he cannot be hitting people. A couple minutes later I was pretending to be the baby and him and his little brother were the dads and out of nowhere he punches me in the back and tells me I can't be a baby anymore! WTF!! I sent him right to bed without a story told him he needs to use his words not his fists if he needs something. So he's balling and screaming in his room and said he wants to talk to me; I go up there and he said he's sorry he overreacts all the time and doesn't know how to deal with his emotions. He still wanted a story I said no it was bed. So he comes downstairs at least two more times for I don't even know what I finally threatened him and said if you come down one more time you're grounded.
I do not want to have to threaten the kid to get him to listen to me, but it's like he thinks I'm a joke. He is a very smart kid, well above the average for his class, so I dont know if he actually has no idea how to control his emotions or if he thinks He can get away with this all by saying that. I have no idea how to discipline him or get him to listen anymore. If someone had some suggestions and advice for peaceful parenting and gentle diaciplne I would appreciate it.