6Yo Acting Out???

It sounds to me like the boy has been seriously abused. My brother's wife lived in an abusive home and some of her siblings had serious problems because of it. THey eventually all had to seek counseling. I would take him to a counselor that he feels comfortable with. People on drugs aren't necessarily aware of what is going on and to whom, but she shouldn't put him in those situations. Another thing to think about in prepping him for the counselor is that they may have threatened him with more of the same if he tells. The father and stepmother also need to let him know that they will love him no matter what. Good luck!

Wow, this little guy has been through a lot. I'd recommend counseling to work out his issues. His behavior is beyond rebellion. Best wishes to your friend!

I truly believe that your friend's son needs to talk with a professional. I worked with Behavioral and Emotional SPED students for 6 years and he is showing signs of distress. Whether just visiting his mother for that long was stressful or if something happened to him while on his visit it needs to be addressed. Some of these actions are very serious and need to be addressed. Please urge your friend to get her stepson help!

I agree with another response that the parents need to speak with the school, principal, counselor and teacher alike, and get some guidelines and a specific behavior set for this little guy. He should not be on the regular discipline program, as it will eat him alive and not take into consideration his special circumstances. As for his behavior at home, he is crying out for consideration and being cherished. He was the first born in a difficult situation, then Dad ships him off to mom who was unstable. The fact that she was ill is not a factor for the child. She was not stable. But what's done is done and now he needs some positive reinforcers, not in the form of permissiveness, but ways he can show his strengths. Professional help is also needed, in my opinion. About me, I have been a teacher since 1973, I currently teach 2nd grade, I have a grown 27yo daughter and 23 yr. old son, happily married for 35 yrs. And I have as many questions as anyone about everything! Good luck!

Sounds like a DESPERATE cry for attention.
Counseling for the whole family, but especiallly the 6 year old would benefit everybody. It would also help the child with his behaviour issues and the family to learn how to [cope]--I don't know if that is the correct word) with his actions.
If you are in the Tucson area, I recommend Dr Bernard Engelhard ###-###-####--he is a very good psychologist. (There are lotos out there, but he's the one we go to for one of our sons) He worked with our schedule and was very accomodating for us.

She should talk to her pediatrician to get a recommendation for family counseling. He has been through so much and will need lots help. She should also talk to the school counslor. All the public schools have a counslor that comes a couple of times a month. The school counslor will help her to get the teacher on her side and to help set boundries at school for the son. It is so important that the boy doesn't feel like he only gets in trouble at school or he will only get worse. the teacher needs to know the background so she will be more empathetic. He is only in first grade, he has alot of school left in his life! He needs to like it now.

Good luck to her! She has a long road ahead of her. With patience, consistancy and love she will make it through.

The trend I can see with the responses are geared more towards seeking help from an outside source, instead of focusing on the inside (the family).

While a lot can be gained by going to see a professional, at the end of the day - it's just the family together, going through routines and facing the usual problems. And, all professionals are not alike. Some are great, making outstanding behavior breakthroughs... and some are just out there practicing what they went to school for, but are simply lacking the desire to truly listen / help. I myself have had years upon years of 'dealing' with professional child/adult psychologists... ;p

Anyway, the family should combine Pro counseling, along with talking to those at his school who could make a difference in his day - with some type of family oriented system, or program that gets everyone involved in changing their home life for the better. I'd recommend that Both parents read the Love and Logic books and that they implement those discipline guidelines on all kids in the home so he sees that he is not being treated differently.

all I can say right now is WOW! then I would never let this child alone with the other 2 kids. I did not notice if this has been going on before he went with his mom or not. if this was happening only since I would assume that things happened there that he is "punishing" his dad and step mom for.

I would sit this child down and ask him why he thinks it is ok to make his sister drink urine and whatever the list is and let him talk and don't interupt him at all. you really can hear more when you listen than talk. answer him if he asks questions you might learn that he feels different and not that he should be coddled but he might need other discipline.

if his mom used drugs when she was carrying him you will have to deal with him in other ways.

he might have issues that his step mom loves her kids more and I am sure that is not the case here.

or other issues just pay attention to what he says. DO not react to any of the responses he says because it might make him tell bigger and better stories. just keep a sober face

I had a really bad family life as a child and my only suggestion is that maybe you should tell your friend that maybe the step son needs some counseling. Family counseling may be really good for all of them and allow the parents to get a better feel of what is going on in the son's life. I wish them the best!