Question
We are having a hard time with our almost 6 year old son. This summer we started him on tickets for whining and not listening. Quickly the focus became on not listening only. It worked for a while but things started to go downhill again and it was most likely because he hadn't lost all of his tickets in several weeks (probably because he started Kindergarten and just wasn't home enough for there to be the opportunity). At that time, I emailed in and decided to add Disrespect to his behavior list and take off whining. That is what we are struggling with most now. His attitude is horrible. Every time (and I mean every time) he is corrected, reprimanded and a ticket is taken, asked to do something, etc., it gets met with rolling eyes, stomping feet, angry face, running away, avoiding, etc. Sunday he lost all tickets and my husband and I took all entertainment out of his room (this was at 2:45 pm so it was a LONG afternoon for him). Monday it seemed like it never happened. When I take a ticket and tell him to get in time out, he runs away and I end up having to catch him and physically put him in his room. At that point I don't know whether to take another ticket or just leave it at the one...I'm kind of lost. At this point I'm filled with self doubt, not knowing if this system has been too punitive, focusing all on the negative, or if I just need to keep going and be consistent (which is what I've been doing, but it seems to be making no difference). I guess I just need encouragement and/or direction on what to do differently, if anything. As a side note, his teacher calls him the perfect child and anyone who has taught him at church can't imagine him behaving this way. :-/ Many thanks for being a resource I can reach out to!
