Seeking Moms Help with Stubbern Children

Is this a sudden behavior? If so, she may be picking up some anxieties about moving to another state, leaving friends and family behind, issues in school, etc.

If it's just a natural progression of behavioral issues (since you used the word "stubborn", I'm making an assumption that things have just reached a boiling point), I would recommend "Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child : Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries" by Robert J. MacKenzie.

I have a STRONG WILLED (yes, I meant to capitalize that) darling only son, who used to think it's his way or else - he has actually told me "You're not the boss of me". After reading this book, I found ways to teach him that I am his his guidance counseler, his loving parent and sometimes his boss all in one. He has learned that yelling at me to do something is a surefire way of getting me to *not* do it, so he quickly apologizes and asks in a nice tone.

It's a long learning process on both ends not to engage in a dance of wills. Both sides need to change their actions for it to work.

Stick to your guns! When you send her to her room or take away something she likes she knows it's only a matter of time before you give in to her again. Keep extending the time she's in her room and take entertaining things (toys and such) out of her room so all she can do is sit on her bed and think about what she's done. I don't let my boys out of their room until they apologize. Even after that they get some extra time in their room to make sure they got the message. My oldest has been in his room for up to three weeks at a time for failure to clean his room. (He wasn't allowed out until it was done.) Eventually she'll come around when she realizes she has nothing to do because of her bad behavior. I also agree that a reward system should be put into place for appropriate behavior, too. Let her pick out a toy or take her out to eat for consistently good behavior until she gets out of the rut she's in. Good luck - S.

It's the age. I have TWO five year olds and they are both going thru the "mouthy" stage. Are you sticking to your guns when you take away priveledges? You might have to give a warning first and if the behavior still doesn't change, take away the priveledge (for a day or a week -- whatever it takes). On the other hand, you might want to try rewarding her GOOD behavior. Get a chore/responsibility chart and let her help you mark off the good things she does every day. At the end of the week, you give her a reward for her good behavior. Sometimes, the promise of a reward is all it takes for bad behavior to stop.

Well, First of all I think mamasource should really have spell check ! Secondly has anything changed in the home ?
Does she know that you are moving ? Has this attitude just start or has it been going on for sometime. It sounds like your doing the right things but if its not helping then maybe you should see professional help. Stubborn child can be hard to handle. Be firm and keep up the good work.
Does she go to school (preschool or kindergarten) Maybe something is bothering her there. Good luck with the move.
P.S (sorry if i sounded a lil harsh up there )
C. S.

Just wondering why someone would comment on another person's grammatical error when that person has made at least one error themselves??