My son is 11 and is starting to get agitated easily and argue with me about his responsibilites (i.e. homework, take a shower, brush your teeth etc). He used to be a good child; on the honor roll and his grades are slipping too. Any moms out the experiences this? How did you handle? I want to nip this now before he starts junior high.
Change in your 11 yr old boy?
your son is becoming a teen......look out. It gets worse! The main thing to remember is to give him his space while maintaining control. Set rules and boundries and STICK TO THEM. Know his friends and know where he is and who he is with.
Call and chack up on him once and a while. Make sure he knows that he is still under your rule. Let him test the waters but make sure to make him %26quot;earn%26quot; his freedoms and responsibilities.
Pick and choose your fights..........
Theres lots of great books out there on the subject. One I liked was Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind by Michael J. Bradley (Paperback - Feb 25, 2003)
Change in your 11 yr old boy?
rofl everyone does that, only another 7 years to go...
aww puberty
puberty? pre rebelious stage i dunno
It's hormones and he's starting to challenge authority. There is nothing to nip in the bud, I have two smack dab in the middle of it (14 and 16). You just need to be patient, firm and realize he is growing up.
My 15-year-old son went through a similar phase when he was that age. It's totally normal, I think. Try asking your son's doctor about it if you're concerned.
I'm experiencing it now. My son is 12. He's always been an argumentative child, but it escalated 100 times worse when he was 11. You have to have tons of patience, and self control. I guess it's their hormones at this age. My son argues with me over EVERYTHING it seems. He's grounded alot, needless to say. Just be patient and understanding.
OH MY GOD I SO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT !!! MY SON IS ALSO 11 AND I TELL MY MOM ITS LIKE HE TOOK SOME SORT OF JERK PILL ONE NIGHT (THAT'S USING NICE WORDS) AND WOKE UP A LITTLE JERK (AGAIN WITH NICE WORDS ) i HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO CHANGE IT OR EVEN IF WE CAN. A BIG JOKE BETWEEN ME AND MY BEST FRIEND IS THAT WE SAY WE NOW KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENS MEN BECOME (INSERT NOT SO NICE WORD HERE) AT 11 IT ALL STARTS AT 11. I THINK ALL WE REALLY CAN DO IS BE THE BEST MOMS WE CAN AND LEAD THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND HOPE THEY CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION. AND HONESTLY I THINK ITS GOING TO GET A LOT WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER !!! ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD WE LOVE THEM RIGHT !!!
It's called puberty. He's moving on to adolescence and the pre-teen years. It's normal behavior, but not an excuse to act up so keep on with discipline.
As far as his grades go, have a talk with him about that and see if it's a learning issue. If he's just becoming lazy then take away every excuse for a distraction in his room.
It's most likely due to the onset of puberty. Hormonal changes can make kids VERY irritable! That's not an excuse for him to talk back and stop doing his schoolwork, though. You could try making a deal with him - if he starts acting more mature (taking a shower and brushing his teeth without being asked, completing his schoolwork, etc.), then you'll start treating him more like a young adult. If he acts like a baby, then he'll be treated like one. And of course, if he's disrespectful, there will be consequences.
It definitely sounds like the Terrible Teens are upon you - hang in there! I only have 8 years before my son is there.
I am sure the fact that he is entering puberty could have something to do with this situation. Kids of this age go through a huge change both physically and emotionally. Boys get grumpier, girls get more emotional and they all try to push buttons they previously had not. Also, if he is in the 5th grade, remember that this is a very difficult year academically. (3rd and 9th are the other most difficult years.) He could be having a harder time and frustrated that the amount of work he had previously applied is not working as well as in the past.
I would sit down and ask him if there is anything or anyone bothering him. Explain that you have noticed a change in his behavior and his grades and you are concerned as to why. Explain that if he is having some problems, you want to help him in any way you can because you love him. Be understanding and assure him that he can always come to you with anything at any time and without judgment. Kids really need to hear this often because some tend to hold things in.
I wish you luck. It is hard when you see changes in a child and do not know why. Just keep talking. They are always listening.
He is going through that stage where kids just want to do what they WANT instead of doing what they HAVE to do. You should sit him down explain the rules in black and white if he doesnt follow them then there are consequences... If he doesnt shape up well his rebelious stage only gets worse especiallly during jr. high. He needs to know life isnt about fun and games and he is getting to the point where he needs to help his mom out and do good in school. If this didn't help much maybe you should seek advice from a doctor or professional to help you out.
