five year old

This is a friend's problem and I just want some advice. They have a five year old child.

But lately they've been having problems with him. He has a tendency to bully other children in the neighbourhood, often over silly things like appearance or physical features. They tell him that it's not nice to hurt other people, but he still does it.

He also shouts offensive things at strangers and passers-by. One time he shouted at a fat woman that she's too heavy. When they told him not to do this, he said that he wanted to because other people aren't normal. This is getting them into bad blood with their neighbours and it's making them look like bad parents.

What can they do to teach their child how to interact properly in society and realise that other people have different motivations in life than him?

Something doesn't sound right with this situation. If they are teaching him the difference between right and wrong, it seems strange to me that a 5 year old would behave in this manner. I would definitely have him evaluated by a clinical professional to make sure there isn't some medical and/or psychiatric reason for his behavior.

Then, if nothing is medically or psychiatrically wrong, then the obvious is that he needs firm, consistent discipline. When he misbehaves, he needs to have consistent, meaningful consequences. Take away a priviledge he most enjoys every single time he acts this way and soon enough, he'd stop.

Good luck to them. :(

I agree kat.... If they can't control it a professional could help..... It could be their discipline style of LACK of it...... its important to give children boundries and then follow thru if it's not followed......

He clearly shouldn't be doing this.... but he is showing anger and there could be a reason why.... they need to find out why he is doing this... he's acting out and there has to be a reason

Thanks for the advice!

wrong thread

holy moly!!!:eek:

Hmmm... what I find strange is that a 5 year old has an opinion on if it's normal for other people to be fat or not... :confused:
More than often childrens' behavior does reflect on their parents or other people in their near environment.
IMO a 5 year old must have learned this from somewhere. As a grown up we do not always think before we speak and we may say things that aren't even meant for the kids to hear and we don't think that they are listening in on what we say 'cause they look so occupied with their play, but who doesn't remember those ears grow when our parents were talking together or with friends? I know for sure that I learned a thing or two about life from conversations my mom had with her friends when they came over for coffee... :giggle:

I was thinking the same thing, joelstrouble. My neighbors kid is a bully and so is his dad. He swears at people and has no respect... ummm his parents do the same thing with each other.
Another kid I know who doesnt listen to anything has parents that "bargain" with him to behave. " If you go see grandma in the hospital with us, we will stop at TOYS ARE US and you can pick out a new toy" :(
I always liked this and found it pretty true.


If a child


If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.

LOL... I posted the same "guidance" as you charo in this thread http://www.agelesslove.com/boards/showthread.php?t=30301:p
So I think that we do have the same wiew on things... :yes: