Rules

[Gemini]

My 5 year old grandson had a sleepover at his aunties house last night. Some of you may remember the recent sleepover at mine, when he was awake until gone 11.30 pm!
He hates to sleep alone, so we knew it should be better at DD2's as he shares a room with his 8 year old cousin.
It was, he fell asleep by 9, woke at 4 ish and had to be comforted by DD, but then at least stayed in the bedroom until a reasonable hour in the morning .

During the evening DD2 sent me a text. She told me that after tea when GS2 was being put to bed, GD and GS1 had some i pad time. DD2 told them "20 minutes more, then we will play a board game before bed"
"But I have already had my pocket money" was GS's response. DD, puzzled asked what he meant. His reply (delivered calmly with an innocent expression) was " I've had my pocket money today, so I don't have to do as you say"
DD2 told him it isn't about pocket money, it's about the rules and doing as she told him. He said "Ah, Ok" as though, DD said, he had completely forgotten about doing as he was told without financial reward.

I think DD1's using pocket money (or rather the withdrawal of portions of it) to elicit good behaviour may be backfiring!

DD2's last text to me was "Take a moment to picture M's face behind him" I can just imagine, she is very good girl and follows the rules, she would be appalled!!

[Plantaholic]

He certainly knows how to play the field, he is too intelligent to give rules like that. I am sure your GD was appalled.

[Oma]

He is bright as a button that boy , sounds like he knows how to play the game

[Nanto2girls]

He's certainly not backwords at coming forward is he.

[WeeGranny]

I think his parents might be making a rod for their own backs with the rules Gem!
And I think GS1 might be in for a bit of a shock when he realises other people respond in a different way to the rules as he knows them.

[Clover]

He’s sharp as a knife Gem,very good at interpreting rules in his own unique way.

[Gemini]

Too true WG!

The thing is, he is really good at school, and was at pre school the previous year. Which leads me to believe he does understand that some rules are non negotiable.
Rarely with his parents though!

[Daisy]

Gem - I had to laugh, although in a sense it's not funny. It's very hard to discipline a child who is as bright as he is, because he will always find a way round them. The quick answer is, yes, you've had your pocket money for this week, but now you've got to start earning it for next week! I can imagine M's face - my GD1 would be the same - although she will argue round the rules if she thinks she can.

[Nana]

I totally agree with Daisy. Made me titter too. 😁

[Gemini]

He is really dragging my daughter down. She adores him , he is the light of her life, but she doesn't find him easy a lot of the time. He reallly thinks the 3 of them in his household are equals.
He doesn't get away with behaviour at my house or at DD2's that he does at home. The answer lies with his parents, we don't have him often enough to make a difference. He is a lovely, bright little boy who is naturally very caring of younger children and animals. He can be very affectionate and loving with the adults in his life, especially his parents and me, but can be a total pain too, and things quickly escalate with him.
I feel so sorry for my DD.

[Plantaholic]

I believe you have said before your DD is a very gentle person and it is probably not in her nature to be firm with him.

[Gemini]

That's right Plant, both his parents are very gentle. He needs the firmer touch of his auntie DD2 !

[Qwerty]

That’s a shame Gem , my lot do know their place and particularly the twins do as daddy stands no nonsense , they get giddy alll three and need to be calmed down, I was in a restaurant yesterday there was a little boy on the next table about 2 yrs old he cried and carried on the whole time it was a baby to me but the parents when they did speak to him were very gentle to him , but they didnt often talk to the boy which I found sad he needed things explaining to him , not saying that is your Dd problem it doesn’t sound like it

[Gemini]

Qwerty, that's lovely, at least you can take them out with confidence.

My GS could not be talked to more, the world revolves around him! He has 100% attention from parents, especially mum. He goes to no regular after school care, so is with one or other parent or me once he comes out of school. He is very intelligent which is part of the problem, but not an excuse!

My GD is impeccably behaved and always has been, we could take her anywhere from babyhood, and have. This reflects badly on GS1, as I hardly ever take him anywhere. I am used to well behaved children (My DDs and GD) and I can't guarantee how he will behave if things don't go his way, which puts me of taking him anywhere!

[Nana]

They sound so different Gem, as often happens in families. Same here...one DD's children would be impeccably behaved whilst the other DD's children are less well behaved. It all seems to be down to parenting styles doesn't it?