Making Emily feel Important

Know What is Age Appropriate

As children grow, they go through stages in which they alternate from being happy and easygoing to being emotional and difficult to get along with. Five-year-olds are easygoing and content to have their fathers and mothers at the center of their lives. At around the age of six parents find their children changing and becoming less easy to get along with.

The six-year-old wants to be the center of his world, even though he has not developed a strong sense of self. This stage is similar to the two-year-old. The child tends to be negative in response to others, does not adapt well, and tends to be demanding.

Six-year-olds have difficulty making choices. They want it all. They have a lot of energy and feel ready for almost anything. They want to win, to experience new things. When things go well they can be warm and enthusiastic. When things go badly, there are tears and tantrums. They respond better to Father than Mother so having Father involved with chore planning and follow-through will work better than having Mother in charge.

(from “How to Get Kids to Help at Home” chapter 6)

Additional advice to fathers: Never tell your children to “help Mother “. This house is the home for the whole family and everyone has an interest in and responsibility for its care.