How Do You Control Wild Children?
By LBS1178
@LBS1178 (317)
United States
October 7, 2006 10:23am CST
I work with kids all day long. They range in age from 3 to 17. I always have a few little ones that are way too babied, and are so bad. Its very hard to deal with that when you have 6 other 3 year olds with you as well. Also, I deal with alot of bratty teenagers, who I feel are at an age where they think they can do no wrong. Any tips?
2 responses
@crunchymama (158)
• United States
8 Oct 06
Teens can be tough. You want to relate to them, show them that you're cool and trustable, but not be that dorky grownup who tries to be too cool so the teens will relate to them, you know?
Have you thought about just sitting them down and saying, hey, I want you to know that your time is your time and whatever you want to do is fine (within reasonable limits), but during these specifically defined times, I really need your cooperation, I need you to pay attention and (whatever else - specific). Strike up a deal with them? Give them space but let them know it's a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours kind of a deal?
I personally don't do well with early teens in large groups, myself. I get way uncomfortable, probably due to remembering how bad, how very bad, my teen years were.
@crunchymama (158)
• United States
7 Oct 06
Well, uh, if you do daycare or something, and you can't handle that many kids, consider cutting back on the number of kids you accept.
Is it that the kids are actually "bad," or do they just have needs that aren't being met? Small children acting bratty are usually just trying to tell you that they need attention.
To complain about teenagers thinking they can do no wrong is to misunderstand teenagers, lol. There's no changing them, only accepting them as they are. Try treating them like adults, trying to respect their needs/wants when possible. Negotiate, and take them seriously. That's all they want - to be taken seriously.
(I read an article once that suggested that teens are like cats, not dogs. You know, standoffish. You only see them when they're hungry, and they're not happy with the food then. You cna't boss them.)
