Help with Constant Negative Attitude!

It's a phase and most of the stress comes from not being able to express how they feel to where you understand them completely. About every six months children's attitudes change. It's their way of learning how to deal with everyday life. Monitor his behavior and take note of dramatic changes. Maybe talking to a counselor at school might be an option. But, if it's not that bad just wait it out, and stay positive no matter how negative his appraoch is. He will always learn by what you do.

It sounds like he wants some control over his environment, now that he's a 'big guy'. 6 is 1st grade. He's in "real" school. So he has people telling him what to do and big time responsibilities on every end. Now is a GREAT time to let him start making some (limited) decisions.

What is he asking to do that he is being told "no as usual"? You mention getting dressed and eating -

You may do this already, but are there things you can let him decide or maybe just alter your phrasing -"do you want to take a shower before or after you do your homework?"
"do you want to get dressed before you eat breakfast or before you brush your teeth?"

I also would let my daughter "decide" the veggie for the night (or type of pasta, or what goes in the salad) and then she got to help fix it. So, "should we have green beans or peas?" then she would go get them out of the fridge and wash them, put them in the bowl etc.

As far as the field day - I would just ask him what would have made the day more fun for him, and see what he says.

My son is like this with going to school. I know a lot of kids do not like going to school but this kid will mope and cry EVERY morning. I tried encouraging him and getting excited about what he would tell me when I picked him up after school. I have tried ignoring him. I have tried yelling at him. Nothing worked. Finally last week, I made it clear that everyone has to go to school, everyone doesn't want to go sometimes, but everyone has to just suck it up. If he cannot get a grip and begin to suck it up then each day he has a fit I will give one of his favorite toys to someone else or to charity and will NEVER replace it.

I certainly thought I was going to have to follow through with this punishment, but have not heard one winey, negative peep out of him for a week. I think it worked. I guess that as mothers we tend to play into these frustrating behaviors. As soon as our kids see that it upsets us they continue the torture. That is what they are supposed to do - so my mom says. Regardless, I don't know if the toy thing will work for you, but some sort of consequence that will get him the message quick needs to be discovered. Just be sure it is something you can follow through with EVERY time.

Good luck!

I think you'll really love the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk. The authors have a long history of leading parenting workshops, and teach parent-tested techniques for solving all sorts of classic problems, including attitude, responsibility and behavior issues.