ParentTalk Forums / ParentTalk / Child Behaviour

Anyone struggling with nail-biting children?

gta journalist — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:55:37 GMT

Is your child biting their nails and despite your best effort you are unable to make him/her stop? I am a freelance journalist and a magazine writing student at Ryerson University’s Chang School of Continuing Education, and I am writing an article about parents who struggle with their children's nail-biting habit. If you are one of the many frustrated parents who deal with this issue, I would love to talk to you about your and your child’s experiences.

Post a response or send me a private message if you are interested in sharing your story or would like to know more about my assignment.

Thank you for your time,

GTA Journalist

5 1 /2 year old boy seems attracted to other boys

bread — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:23:21 GMT

My 5 year old son seems to be attracted to boys. He plays all the time with his big sister and doesn't have any many male friends that he plays with, except at school and sometimes my friends two boys. He was playing at McDonalds with his sister and then found a little male friend to play with and then didn't want to play with his sister. He went down the slide with his new little friend, but kind of hugging him sort of when they went down the slide. When they came down at the botttom of the slide, I was there and he seemed a little embarrassed and I asked him to play also with his sister. He refused. Later, I asked him that it wasn't nice to not let his sister play with him and he said that he always plays with her and that he wanted to play with the boy and that if his sister played, he would be jelous because he was a boy. I am sure I am blowing this out of proportion, but wondering if kids at that age show sexuality. Could my son be gay? Is it normal for boys to be "attracted" to boys.

Your Childs Physical Activity Behavior

cbloomquist — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:19:58 GMT

Regular participation in physical activity helps children build healthy bones and muscles, develops skills, reduces depression and anxiety, builds confidence, and facilitates social interaction. Unfortunately, many children may not be physically active enough to achieve these benefits.

Mothers of preschool children please tell me why your child does or does not participate in physical activity programs. Please complete two short on-line surveys about your thoughts related to your preschool child's physical activity.

The first survey can be completed right now at the following website: https://survey.usask.ca/survey.php?sid=8687

A link to the second survey will be sent to you in a few days. Both surveys are very short and will not take long to complete.

If you are a mother that is at least 18 years of age, with a child between 2 and 5 years of age I would like to invite you to participate in the first survey right now.

https://survey.usask.ca/survey.php?sid=8687

Please go to the link and participate soon! Just type the web address in your web browser and complete the survey. It is very quick and easy.

This survey has been approved by the Behavioural Ethics Board of the University of Saskatchewan. If you have any questions or comments about the survey please contact me. My email address is cdb485@mail.usask.ca.

Thank you kindly!

Candace

3yr old running away when it's time to brush teeth/hair/get dressed

springbaby — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 16:58:58 GMT

It used to be cute when she ran away-not anymore-I'm pregnant and can't keep up with her- when she needs her teeth brushed, or needs to get dressed she just turns and walks away, when I ask again, or try to pick her up-there is plenty of resistance, and in the end-she's crying, and I am trying to force a toothbrush in.

How do you handle the resistance? How do you cope? I don't want her to have negative reinforcement.

thanks,
angela

staring

unclmart — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:26:01 GMT

Hi I am curious? I have a 9 month old, boy, he likes to lay on his back an stare at object.
some times he sleep after he stares,some times he does not.

Is this normal?

CBC The National - November 2008

online-editor — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:56:37 GMT

The National is looking to do a story on one of the biggest
challenges parents face in these tough economic times: learning how to
say no to their children. The National's producers are looking for families who need some help saying no. Via the show, these families will be in touch with a parenting expert, and help them find ways to curb their spending, while keeping their children happy.

Are you a parent who would like to share your story with CBC and participate in this project? If so, please get in touch with me @ lisah@parentscanada.com right away and I'll put you in touch with the show producers.

sep. anxiety...intense crying when mom leaves

springbaby — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:57:20 GMT

My three year old has terrible sep. anxiety, so much that I can't even leave her at a half hour dance class because the parents aren't allowed to be in the same room, and she feels like she needs me there. She cries hard, even runs away from the instructor when she comes near her. She even says 'I don't like her'

I don't know if I should accept her feelings, and let it go, and take her home, or do I leave her there upset?

any ideas, or suggestions.

Forget Terrible Two's...It's Terrible Three's!!!!!!!

amazon74 — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 16:11:49 GMT

Anyone else have a VERY headstrong three year old???

fear of water

inkscrblr — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:59:56 GMT

Hi. I am a journalist and mother of two little girls working on a column about fear of water. I am looking for people whose children were fearful of baths, pools, lessons, beach etc.. I wonder if you can tell me when and how long the fear lasted. Whether you felt it was developmentally apporpriate and what -if anything you did to solve the problem.

TIA, Paula

DD turning 5 and still won't poo on the toilet

ccharbonneau — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:19:47 GMT

My daughter will be 5 in December and she flat out refuses to poo on the toilet. She will wait until her nap time or bed time, when she wears a pull up, to poo. We have tried bribing and she has so many things coming to her if she would just poo on the toilet (fish, party, stickers, finger paints, etc.). I have tried making her sit on the toilet, but she goes hysterical--literally, which doesn't help anything. I have tried being casual about it, but with no result. I have even said that we would have to take her to the doctor if she doesn't start soon. She wears panties during the day. She pees on the toilet all day, no problem--was actually her who decided not to pee on the potty, but use the big toilet, and she stays dry all day--even if we go out. Most of the time she is even dry through nap time. Some people have told me not to worry, she will get it, but she is almost 5 and not showing any signs of moving ahead. When asked why she won't poo on the toilet she says "I don't want to" or "I don't want to tell you". Luckily we live in Quebec so she isn't in school yet, but will go next year. I am starting to worry that she still won't have got it by then!
Any help, advice, reassurances would be very much appreciated!

Feeling Hot Hot Hot -- new blog post

online-editor — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:14:04 GMT

http://blog.parentscanada.com/my_weblog/2008/07/feeling-hot-hot.html

Kids in danger of becoming dehydrated this summer?

Conduct of Life Book for kids 6-10 years old

ahbooks — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:54:39 GMT

Hi! My name is Amanda and I just wanted to share some exciting news with as many parents as possible. There is a great conduct of life book out there for kids, one that helps busy parents, teachers and caregivers have profound and intimate conversations with kids on matters like self-image, materialism and respecting the environment (to name a few). The book is called GIFTS by Amanda Maragos
for more info visit www.ahbooks.ca
Enjoy!

gas

charlize — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:09:53 GMT

I have a child she is 4 months...her stool is liquidy changes color back and forth between mustard and army green. She has really bad gas cramps...toots alot...restless sleeping...

I have been trying new formula... using enfamil changed 4 types ...wondering if I should go to soy based...any ideas??

What do you do in the middle of a bad tantrum

violet1amythest — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:21:39 GMT

Carter is almost 2 and hit the terrible two's about 6 months ago. He started having temper tantrums like any other kids but has evolved into a violent terror that won't calm down for at least 10 min. With my first boy it wasn't any thing like this. I could put him in his room and he'd settle down after a few min and a few tears. My 2 yr old will trash his room, bang his head on anything he can reach, including me, leaving bruises when he hits. Slapping, biting, throwing toys, books or what ever happens to be within close reach. He has even tore apart the new wooden train track set that Santa brought which had been glued so it wouldn't fall apart easily.

When he is having a mild meltdown I can usually calm him down by distraction, giving him another option or simply walking away. However when he is beyond the voice of reason I just don't know what to do with him. After it's all done we have a little talk about how to act and what to do but a 2 yr old doesn't remember this in the middle of it. I have restrained him myself to stop hitting and have been able to calm him enough to talk him down. But that can take 5 min or longer of screaming/hitting/throwing things.

What do you do when your kids has a serious meltdown?

Preschoolers and bullying

onlyone — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:11:28 GMT

I am new here and glad to join all of you on this board. I have been running a daycare in my home for the past 2 1/2 yrs. My daughter who is now 3 1/2yrs has grown with the children in my daycare, they are all around the same age. I must add that my daughter has some developmental delays, mainly with her speech. All was fine with her and the other children until about a month ago when I noticed two of the other kids always sticking together and picking on my daughter. They won't let her join in their play(they tell her to go away), steal toys from her, laugh at her and tease her sometimes. I am a licensed educator and know how to deal with situations like this. I don't over protect her but correct the kids when they do this by telling them that at daycare everyone is friends and that we must be nice with eachother, that teasing and making one another cry is not a nice way to play. I've started to even read books to them about how to be nice to each other/bullying. I also try to encourage group play as much as possible. But this is breaking my heart to see her upset or cry when this happens, this is still my child. Would anyone have any other tips or ideas that could help me deal with this? I would greatly appreciate it.

Temper Tantrums

Moderator — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:42:59 GMT

Hello PC.com Members,

There's a great new article from our new ParentsCanada subscription based magazine called, "Screaming". It discusses how to deal with the your child when they have a temper tantrum and provides suggestions of how to cope.

Take a look in our "Relating" section now or click here: http://www.parentscanada.com/relating/articles.aspx?listingid=110

Blowing Food!!

Lyndze — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:36:12 GMT

I am having some issues with feeding time and I am not sure what actions I should take to 'punish' her. It seems every time I try to feed my nine month old daughter she 'blows' the food back. She used to wait until she had a nice big mouthful before doing it, but now when she sees the spoon coming she starts blowing. I have tried firmly saying 'no' but she just seems to think I'm playing with her. I have also tried 'ignoring' her for a few minutes when she does it so she doesn't think it's a game as well I have tried having a distaction such as one of her toys, but it's not working so far, and I'm not too sure how I can get her to stop. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

crying over everything

michelle284 — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:19:44 GMT

My 4 year old twin daughters cry about everything. Whenever they don't get their own way about absolutley anything, they cry. It is a very annoying cry. They have tears and cry VERY loudly. I don't have sympathy for them like I do if they are hurt, because this cry is different from a hurt cry. It is sort of a cry/scream. I try telling them I can't talk with them until they can talk with big girl voices, but they cry more and harder until I eventually lose my patience. Does anyone have some advice?

Separation Anxiety

foxymama3 — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:00:05 GMT

My six year old first grader is going through this phase (i hope it's a phase). For the last two weeks he has become emotional towards going to school, and leaving me. He has always loved school. His Teacher is amazing, and He is one of her best behaved and well liked students. He has lost motivation to do his work in class. He's last report card was covered with A's and B's. He cries in class for little embarrassments. And he claims he misses me and wants to go home. The first and only time I did pick him up, he changed his mind after we left the school. I don't want him to become dependant on me whenever things get tough, but also I want him to understand that I will be there when he just can't take anymore. I am a stay at home Mom, I have a four year old son who will start school in the fall. And my daughter who is almost five months old. He has never showed jealousy towards my daughter. My attention towards him has changed a little since she was born. I breastfeed so It's not like I can involve him in helping to feed her. I would love to spend some one on one time with him. Plus there are times when he is home and invited to his cousins or grandparents, he almost always jumps out the door. He even comes to me in the middle of the night and tells me he misses me too much...any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Rachelle...Mom of Anah-Liese, Aidan and Cameron.

"Hurt the puppy"

tallgirl — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 00:26:45 GMT

My 26 month old daughter has a new favourite phrase. All day long, every day for a couple of weeks now, she's been spouting off, "Hurt the puppy, hurt the mommy, hurt the daddy, hurt the Tyson (her 5 month old brother), even hurt the Peyton (herself)" She actually DOES hurt the puppy sometimes. We've told her not to pull his hair/tail, not to hit him. We tell her to touch nice when she says her phrase. We've put her in her room for time-outs when she's mean to anyone. We've even spanked her sometimes for being mean (I know there are various views on spanking.) She isn't mean to him all the time, she's actually nice to him a lot of the time. But she's mean often enough that he doesn't trust her. The puppy is only 3 months old, and we've had him about 6 weeks. He's kennelled most of the day because I simply can't protect either him nor my daughter from one another. She also occasionally does slap me or her dad, but she never actually hurts her little brother on purpose. We thought that she desperately loved dogs, by her reaction to any live dog or picture of a dog before we adopted our puppy. I don't know if we are being too lenient or too strict or not consistent enough (although it really feels like we're being consistent...), or if it's just a phase she'll grow out of. But in the meantime, I'm afraid that our dog is going to learn to be mean, and I don't want that to happen.

Anyone have any suggestions to curb this behaviour?