also, children learn very quickly how to wind us up and press our wrong buttons.

my son has a habit of asking his friends to let them play with somethng i have taken away from him and making out im the mean horrible mum and every one elses mum is nice

ive got wise to this now, i did give in initially but he keeps doing it so now he doesnt win, then his friends dont want to come again because they cant play with playstation like my son has promised them - even though he knew it was banned before he invited them!

have a think about when it is you argue, and what about. 

this is the starting point to see what the triggers are.

is it you reacting to your child, or is it your child reacting to you.

is it when he/she or you are tired

is it in the morning or evening

is it when he/she has been asked to do something - is it reasonable

i went through this, and still do, and i have noticed that all my problems and arguements stem around asking my son to do some revision/or reading at home, or tidying his pigsty and playstation.   these are his triggers to argue and be revolting

when I dont hassle him, and ask him in a better way, he responds much better.  when i shout cos im sick of him ignoring me, and its usually when im tired, then he gets angry and shouts back.

i have now decided, if he cant be bothered to get dressed and eat his breakfast, he can go to school in his pyjamas, and starve.  I explained taht he is the one that will suffer in the classroom, and not me, and surprise surprise, he is getting up dressed and fed very quickly now.

i have changed my tactics, not letting him see he is winding me up, and we are having a much calmer relationship.

heidih

keep asking questions, theres lot of people who can offer help and advice

Can anyone give me some advice, my son is 7 years old and for the last 6mths we have done nothing but argue.  It usually ends up with us both crying, saying sorry and promising to have a better day the next day.  I am guilty of shouting at him, sometimes forgetting he is only 7.  He does seem to know what buttons to press to get a reaction.  Does anyone know how I can develop more patience as I think I am to blame for our arguements.  Thanks