Mommame2 Posted March 16, 2014 Posted March 16, 2014 Does anyone have any suggestions for parenting books etc for elementary school kids? I have been in the back seat on parenting with our son because of my work schedule. My son is a good boy at the root. However, I see red flags and I have been trying to change. I appreciate any advice. Problems: He wants us to buy $$$ cars etc. He often seems ungrateful. He's too blunt and says rude things sometimes. (At his bday party... He told one of the kids he didn't like the gifts he got). Husband got him to start collecting coins. That is good... But now he's obsessed with money. He will literally go through stores scouring the store for loos change on floors. He does not share well. Yesterday I asked him for a bite of his food and he smiled and gave it to me. I thanked God that my work is starting to pay off. He is an excellent student. But often brags to other kids. I have started requiring that every week we go together and get hot meals for homeless people and we go as a pair to deliver it. It seems to help him understand. However this am we tried it and he said he wasn't using any of HIS money to help feed them. That saddened me. I will say he constantly talks about how much he lives being with me. He will tell me that dad is "awkward and doesn't like to laugh with him". He will be pretty well behaved when we are together alone. I have requested that daddy say prayers with him before bed. (I'm working at that time) but it doesn't appear to be happening when I'm not home. He is now talking about the acting stuff and how he wants to buy a rolls Royce with his acting money cause daddy said he could make millions. And when I say.. No sweetie.. You need to take drama classes first etc.. He looks at me as the party pooper. Some of these things are probably normal for an 8 year old. But I'd take ANY advice you could give me. I don't have family nearby and my mother is not very helpful with our son. Even though I have asked repeatedly for her help.
Keenly Posted March 16, 2014 Posted March 16, 2014 Sometimes you gotta remember your goal is to raise an adult, and that takes life experience, not some one telling you what to do or how to do it. This means with the exception of one thing you describe, I believe you have to let his dreams be shot down by life, rather than you shooting them down for him. The gift etiquette is probably something you should teach him. That one made me cringe. But the being greedy and not sharing parts... I think you can let his own social interactions work that out for you when his little friends or social circles start attaching negative labels to him because of his behavior, you can explain to him that that is why .
Janesays Posted March 16, 2014 Posted March 16, 2014 'Don't shoot the dog' by Karen Pryor. Some people have called it a life changer.
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