tiredandemotional
06-12-2012, 04:53 PM
Hi
I mind an 8 year old boy and his 10 year old brother. While the 10 year old is calm, helpful, polite and, to be honest, a dream, I find the eight year old quite tricky at times. If someone does him an injustice he tends to 'lose it', becoming very verbally aggressive and then go into a tremendous sulk for hours. If I try and intervene he will turn on me, not physically, but his attitude and tone is very upsetting, especially in my own home! I don't have a lot of experience with this age; my own children are six and three, but I feel I am doing everything right in dealing with him. Whilst it doesn't happen often, when it does I am left feeling very shaken. Up to now I haven't talked to the parents about it; partly because I don't want them to feel I am not coping with him (which most days I do fine) but also because there is never an opportunity to do so; they often pick up late and hustle the boys out quickly as they have other siblings waiting. I have a good relationship with the parents. I told him today that I would be talking to them as he put himself in danger this time - storming off across a road. However, I know talking about it in front of him isn't very professional, I won't have an opportunity outside of this; they work long hours, have three other children and I never see them at school and feel I am only left with the option of emailing really. How would anyone else approach this and what would you do? I really don't want to lose them as the older child is wonderful and I am sure it is just a phase with the younger. I only have them two days a week after school.
I mind an 8 year old boy and his 10 year old brother. While the 10 year old is calm, helpful, polite and, to be honest, a dream, I find the eight year old quite tricky at times. If someone does him an injustice he tends to 'lose it', becoming very verbally aggressive and then go into a tremendous sulk for hours. If I try and intervene he will turn on me, not physically, but his attitude and tone is very upsetting, especially in my own home! I don't have a lot of experience with this age; my own children are six and three, but I feel I am doing everything right in dealing with him. Whilst it doesn't happen often, when it does I am left feeling very shaken. Up to now I haven't talked to the parents about it; partly because I don't want them to feel I am not coping with him (which most days I do fine) but also because there is never an opportunity to do so; they often pick up late and hustle the boys out quickly as they have other siblings waiting. I have a good relationship with the parents. I told him today that I would be talking to them as he put himself in danger this time - storming off across a road. However, I know talking about it in front of him isn't very professional, I won't have an opportunity outside of this; they work long hours, have three other children and I never see them at school and feel I am only left with the option of emailing really. How would anyone else approach this and what would you do? I really don't want to lose them as the older child is wonderful and I am sure it is just a phase with the younger. I only have them two days a week after school.