Parents struggle to set boundaries with strong-willed children

“My son is 5 1/2, he's a smart kid who taught himself how to read and loves engaging in conversation with people when I'm talking to them. The biggest issue though is that he can be extremely set in his ways and will argue with you if he doesn't like how things are going. He can be pretty bossy, especially around my husband and I, but will listen to everything grandma says which brings about an interesting problem involving grandma. I am my moms only child, so when my son was born she”

“We've been permissive with our 4-year-old, and I'm worried it's showing. How do I set firmer boundaries without damaging him, and how do my wife and I get on the same page? Background: My wife and I, possibly misreading about gentle parenting, have been fairly permissive with our 4-year-old son. It's been a rough stretch: I was unemployed for 1.5 years, finances and our relationship are strained, and I'm dealing with obesity and suspected ADHD. I've just found temporary w”

“Hi all! I am a mom of two very strong willed kiddos, ages 5F and 9M. I have hit an absolute wall with them in regard to them “listening” to me when it comes to basic things they know they aren’t supposed to do or just basic run of the mill “rules”. Mostly my son, he fights me on everything. Rarely is the answer “ok mom” but rather I’m met with push back and arguing. My daughter is now starting to take on some of this behavior as well. I’m at my breaking point. I’m tired. Tired of arguing. Tired”

“I’ve been going back and reading older posts and comments because I’m trying to better understand and help my daughter with some of the difficulties she’s having socially. I’ve been trying many of the things other parents have suggested, and I’m really doing my best to help her. I’d like to ask parents whose children generally don’t have difficulties making friends or socializing: When you take your child somewhere to play, and you notice another child who is playing alone, even though that chil”

“Fellow dads (and lurking moms). First time poster on this subreddit. My family unit currently consists of my wife, my 3 year old son, 1 year old son, and myself. As such, the 3 year old is wanting to play outside more and more and we embrace this. However, we have currently run into a situation with our next door neighbors. While we were outside with our son during the summer, the neighbor kid was naturally curious. Through conversation with him we learn he’s 7 years old and has either a 1 year”

“We have a 7 year old daughter who’s an only child. She has always been social and loves to play with other kids. Ever since we moved to a new neighborhood she has been playing with the kids that live on our street which has been great. We love that she made friends and has fun with them. The problem now is she needs her sleep. She is one of those kids who struggles to wake up in the am. She needs to be up by 6:30, and most days when I let her play past her bedtime (7:30-8), I find her asleep wit”

“I have 2.5 and 4.5 girls. They are both very sweet kids. They are the best of friends most days. We have a good system to handle sharing and general conflict. Day to day it’s not an issue. What is an issue is the rough/loud/monkey play. Especially at the end of the day when I am making dinner, they start going wild. And this often trickles to the dinner table, and so by bathtime/bedtime, I’m short tempered, and they’re pushing every last button. They jump off the coach or nugget. They will run l”

“I was just wondering if some factors are responsible to help raise more independent, strong willed and hardworking kids? submitted by /u/Ok_Firefighter106 [link] [comments]”

“My 8 year old has problems with saying no, she is a constant people pleaser it seems and no amount of talking with her gently changes her thoughts. Recently one of her friend's that is always over here, sister came over maybe 10 years of age, basically my daughter gave her all her squishys for a terrible scam of a trade. How do I get through to her the importance of standing up to yourself and should I ban her friends sister from my house? My wife and I are at basically at odds with this. An”

“Just wondering about the question in my post title... My younger daughter, 8, is the queen of begging to sign up for activities and then not wanting to go when it comes time for practices, etc. This mostly happens with sports. I have asked her before signing up, "Are you sure you want to play??" She tells me, "YES! I LOVE _ ___." Then, I pay for her to play and she doesn't want to go. She is pretty good at several sports, and even plays on a travel team for one. So, not b”

“Has anyone successfully dealt with a kid who understands boundaries perfectly well, but still keeps taking other people’s things? My daughter is 12 and this has been going on for years. She knows the rule, can explain exactly why it exists, and is VERY protective of her own belongings, so this isn’t a lack of understanding. It also isn’t about her not having things. She has so many untouched notebooks, but still went into my office, took one of mine, and wrote, [NAME]’s DIARY — DO NOT TOUCH” on”

“My husband has been really on our 13 (f)year old. Sometimes feels like he says no just to say no. She’s not a bad kid. Messes up occasionally with the basic teenage girl stuff.(fighting with siblings, not prepared, didn’t study, 4x told to do a chore) We have caught her in some lies and drama but it was handled immediately and she left that friend group. Prior to that my husband and I had a problem with those friends and thought that they were not good for her. Turned out true she cut ties and i”

“I have two kids a boy and a girl at the same age as 11( they are twins) They do listen to me and understand when I set some limits on screen time, eating healthy, personal hygiene and some manners. Sometimes they go beyond boundaries then I give them punishment like your screen time is no longer for the day. Or punishment to do some help choir. Recently I have been watching the 'Worlds strict parents' and I am getting influenced by those parents. They seem so ideal, better parents and th”

“How do you have a boundary with a child when you say something and they don't do it? I've been trying to be more clear and strict about what we need from our kid. I am trying to ask once, maybe count to three, but not beg and negotiate. But then I feel like I end up manhandling my child into doing simple tasks. Holding a kid down to get shoes on feels violent. Or just pouring the water on their head when they say they won't let you wash their hair. I feel stuck. It would be one thing”

“We live on a corner lot surrounded by dozens of other families and whether intentionally or not, our house has become the gathering location of neighborhood kids ages 3-10. My spouse works from home. 9-5. She is also someone who does not voice her opinion often, doesn’t complain, and tries to be polite - even when she is being taken advantage of. She is anxious and avoids conflict. She will let everyone walk all over her aside from her direct family and children. She holds her tongue, expecting”

“My daughter is the absolute sweetest girl with a huge and amazing heart! But boy oh boy she has a VERY STRONG WILL I struggle with boundaries as an adult, which I am working on. My husband has great boundaries. I am a great mom in so many areas, but she is always challenging me and just does not stop! Please help 😵‍💫 submitted by /u/Cultural_Leather8434 [link] [comments]”

“Hi there! Mom to a toddler (female 20m) here. Today at daycare pick up the director was praising my toddler and ended it with “She’s such a people pleaser!” Director totally meant it as a compliment and I was not offended by any means, but it got me to thinking. I do not want her to grow up a people pleaser, I am one, and it is debilitating honestly. I ended up in some very dangerous and traumatic situations because of it. So how have y’all taught your kids (specifically daughters) the differenc”