|
Got a Question? If your third-grader has an academic or school-related behavior problem you would like help solving, send it to mythirdgrader@greatschools.net.
More on GreatSchools.net |
Answer: There are several things you can do to help your daughter be less bossy. First, I'd recommend talking with her about how to be a good friend. During this conversation you should point out ways she is and is not a good friend (i.e., when she bosses her friends around). Once you've established that bossing her friends around is not nice, you can discuss some alternate ways she can interact with her friends (e.g., making suggestions instead of demands, cooperating and listening to the ideas of others)
Chances are this conversation alone will not change your daughter's behavior. Afterward, it will be important to remind her about how to be a good friend and praise her whenever you notice her doing so. When you catch her being bossy, immediately remind her about being a good friend by either whispering in her ear or pulling her aside in a way that does not embarrass her in front of her friends. If she is bossy toward you, point out her behavior and ask her to repeat her request in an appropriate manner.
In school, I'd recommend a similar approach. You and her teacher can talk to her about how to be a good friend in school. Her teacher can praise her when she demonstrates "good friend" behavior and let her know, without embarrassing her, when she does not. It may also be helpful for her to experience some consequences for her bossy behavior (e.g., time out) to learn that it is not acceptable.
