She's constantly giving in to his tantrums so at this point he knows how to get his way (get louder, cry longer).
I'm always asking her to discipline him more. So, in an effort to stop being embarrassed and get help, below is yesterday's conversation about this exact thing from their soccer practice. He's on vacation and she stayed home with him. I don't think she's a bad person and please tell me what i can do better. Changed some names and location info but nothing else.
Her: He is so disrespectful. Hitting me talking back and crap Fri, 11:30 Me: why?? Fri, 11:30 Me: hello??? Fri, 11:36 Her: I don't know Fri, 11:36 Me: he just ran up to you and started hitting you???? Fri, 11:37 Her: He's just been not listening they had them take a water break And I had packed him some snacks and he grabs the Oreo snack and goes to the field with it and tried to play Fri, 11:37 Me: i wish i knew what happened. but i wasnt there Fri, 11:37 (these came in pretty much simultaneously) Her: I kept calling him to give it to me so he gave it to me and hit me. Then he started getting on ruby and Reese like they were horses Fri, 11:38 Me: hitting and yelling is not ok. i'd take away all snacks for the rest of the day. sugar rush/// Fri, 11:39 Her: And when we were about to leave he said yea maybe this time you'll be smart and not get lost There is a starbucks inside the **** we are here right now Fri, 11:40 Me: wtf? i hope you dont let it slide. l would try to not respond angrily and just make sure he understands there's consequences...no snacks. no ds on the bus. loses all privileges until he chooses to apologize and change his behavior. Fri, 11:40 Her: I thought he'd like to eat his sandwich I made him but he doesn't want anything Fri, 11:41 Me: dont force him to though...let him sit in silence so he can think about his actions. i'd try that and hope it works. starbucks [her]? thats a treat. he's associating his behavior with cookies and milk. cut that tie. it's not easy. i heard parenting isnt ever easy though. Fri, 11:42 Her: I was trying to have him eat his sandwich Fri, 11:42 Me: ok. i hope he learns his actions today are unacceptable and there are consequences. Fri, 11:43 Her: On our way back home :) Fri, 11:52 Me: sweet Fri, 11:53