Seekings Advice Big Kids Age 7 and Up....

M.,
I don't have children this age, however I have taken a "Smart Discipline" class where the speaker/expert was saying how the tv that is made for children, even Disney and other children movies, have a lot of bad messages that parents don't catch onto. The children have attitudes, even back talk their parents and get away with it. It is really sad that television is made like that. I would suggest carefully monitoring what she watches and even not letting her watch tv in the morning.

Good luck,
B.

Gosh, it seems like the best thing to do to start with is to cut out morning T.V. and see if that helps. She's probably seeing people mouth off and thinks that it's an appropriate way to behave. Try redirecting her attention to something else, like having morning reading time instead. There are a lot of really cool books that she'd probably really enjoy and it will give her a head-start for next year in school.

Hi M.,
I'd take the TV away from her. It sounds like to me that she wants attention from you. Since you have a young child to attend to she could be feeling jeoulous of the time you are spending with the baby. Try to include her with your routine and taking care of the baby instead of watching TV. Just a thought, good luck.

My 6 year old son does the same thing when he watches Cartoon Network. He's really too old for the toddler shows on Disney & PBS in the morning, but the Cartoon Network shows are really sassy, and he picks up that attitude very quickly. I took his cable out of his room & he is grounded from Cartoon Network for the month. We will probably try it again next month & see if he can make better choices with his attitude.

Take the morning T.V. "priviledge" away. Tell her she lost the priviledge for one day due to her behavior. She will probably throw a fit, but what kid doesn't. Don't give into her. When she gets her TV priviledge back she will probably test you and will probably give you attitude again. Take the TV privilege away for 2 days and so on. She will catch on.

Good Luck

Hi M.,
you need let your daughter know she is having an attitude. Try to have a good conversation with her and limit the tv hours to just one or two hours a day. I also have a daughter and sometimes she has an attitude, but she needs to know she needs to respect her parents.

You can set up parental controls on the t.v, if you have it via your t.v cable provider. It's worth looking into. That way, she can't just turn on the t.v. and put on her own t.v. shows... YOU, the Parent, would have control of it. You can block certain channels from kids. Use the t.v as a 'reward' for good behavior, versus as entertainment. Or, set up a system, where every time she acts up, she loses her allowance or something or has to give up something, for example. All children have a 'price'... that will make them change the tune of their behavior. Kids mimic what they see, what they see at school, what they see with peers. The world does not revolve around them... .they need to learn this, or they will not improve. Imagine as your (or any child) gets older.... it can just get more and more sassy, or defiant. The main thing is to be CONSISTENT... once you set up rules or consequences for her... STICK to it, no matter how much attitude you get. It will get worse, before it gets better. CHildren also have to learn EMPATHY... what their behavior does to OTHER people and how it makes others feel at the other end of the stick. This is another way to 'teach' them consequences. They need to have a well-rounded 'picture' of what their behavior does to EVERYONE involved, not just themselves. GOod luck!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

ugh. I know what you mean. My 8 yr. old gets like that too. which is why I limit all t.v to begin with. It's mostly the disney shows that make her act like that too, which is surprising. I limit it to one precocious t.v show a day.
They say the average kid watches 4000 t.v commercials a year too, fyi.

There is no reason that children should watch tv. It doesn't help them learn. It has been linked to ADHD. I would suggest you make watching a privlige. If she helps with chores and does something constructive like write thank you notes or practice spelling words then you can let her know that she earned a show. When my children want to watch tv, first I ask if their toys are picked up and if there beds are made. Also I like to make riding bikes and jumping on the trampoline daily privlages for good behavior. My son rides everyday, and he happily earns the privlage. If the attitude continues to come up after the show, then I would warn her that next time she asks to watch, the answer will be no because she was disrespectful last time. I think 7 is old enough to understand and act accordingly. She will get it. Best of luck.