Boy, oh boy are 7-year-olds obnoxious, but why? One day, after almost loosing it with a 7-year-old, I did a little research and here is what I found.
Why are 7-year-olds so annoying? In an effort to gain independence, 7-year-olds will, at times, push back against parents and attempt things “their own way.” This behavior is typical for a developing child and should not be a point of concern.
Seven can be a difficult age, but is any point of parenting easy? Let’s take a closer look at why your child may be so annoying and what you can do to combat this behavior.
Why 7-Year-Olds are Annoying
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think there has ever been a time in my life that I didn’t consider myself a fully rational, adult person. In fact when I was a teenager, I was astounded by how much smarter I was than everyone else. Looking back, I realize how moronic and young I actually was.
Your 7-year-old likely feels similar to how I felt when I was a youngster. Not only can your child now do basic arithmetic they are also beginning to master literacy as well.
Mature enough to now form their own opinions, your 7-year-old likely has a life outside of the immediate family now. He probably has a best friend or a group of friends. He probably even knows people that he considers enemies and would rather not associate with.
These new skills and expanding knowledge and maturity will likely come with new ideas on how to get under your skin.
Remember at 7-years-old children are still learning how to get along with each other. One of the best ways they can figure what is acceptable is to do that which is not acceptable.
Tell a kid to set the table and what do they do? They don’t set it just to see what happens. Tell your 7-year-old daughter to stop picking on her little brother? She will keep on picking away! You don’t want to know what a kid will do if you tell him to wash his hands after going to the bathroom.
The point is kids are curious. At 7 years a child is more aware of the world around them and are eager to explore, and that’s not a bad thing. Even if their exploration often times leads to mischief.
Before we learn some tips on how to correct bad behavior, let’s learn what typical behavior for a 7-year-old is.
The Behavior of a 7-Year-Old
One of the worst things that you could expect from your child is perfection. Are you the shining bastion of happiness and well-doing every day of your life? Then don’t expect your child to be 100% every day either.
7-year-olds are typically happy, but not all the time. As they figure out the complexities of social interactions, children learn that they are not going to get along with everybody they meet.
No matter how you may try to shield your child, they will learn that their are winners and losers in life and are disappointed when they end up losing in certain situations.
But all that is perfectly natural and healthy.
7-year-olds often have a curiosity that is at the same time admirable and exhausting. Parents can become fatigued when subjected to an endless torrent of questions. I know I feel humbled when I don’t have answers.
7-year-olds often still aren’t afraid of showing exuberant affection. Hand-holding, hugging, and kissing are all frequently displayed.
Of course, every child is different and won’t behave to the T as I have described above. Remember that the physical and emotional developments of a child, plus the environment in which they are found can have a profound change in how your child comports at 7 years.
Now that we understand the typical behavior of a 7-year-old let’s take a look at some common problems you may experience and how to deal with them.
Identifying Annoying Behavior
First off, I think it’s very important not to curb the enthusiasm of your 7-year-old child. Most kids this age have a zest for life that is exhilarating but can easily annoy parents. You want your kid to be happy? Then let him be happy!
Of course, there is a time and place to be serious and quite, but give your kid time to just be a kid.
With that out of the way, let’s look at some naughty behaviors your 7-year-old may display.
- Anger. You may notice that your child has suddenly grown a mouth that knows how to talk back. Your child may be easily frustrated, or vindictive when talking of others. Be on the lookout for excessive anger.
- Mood swings. Along with getting angry, your child may also shift moods suddenly. This is normal, for as a 7-year-old hover between child and teenager they are unsure on how to act. Sadness, anger, and confusion are common.
- Defiance. Just as kids learn to follow more complex instructions, they also learn how to defy them. In an effort to figure out boundaries, children experiment to see what they can and can’t get away with.
These are just a few common behaviors for a 7-year-old. Some will experience them sooner, some later. Some won’t have these problems at all but experience a whole set of other unique issues all of which is perfectly normal.
Now that we have identified some common problems let look at how to remedy them.
Addressing Annoying Behavior
There are no perfect parents and not all of the solutions I suggest will work for your specific child, but it’s important to remain positive and keep trying. If behavior issues persist and seem abnormal, feel free to contact a specialist.
Your main concern should be for you child, and if the best thing for her is to take her to a behavior expert, then, by all means, do it. There is never any shame in wanting the best for your kids.
But what can you do at home to help correct difficult behavior?
- Stay positive. If your child is grouchy and moody, then your own moodiness won’t do much to improve the situation. Lead by example and take a positive stance. If you respect your children, then they will respect you.
- Talk to your kids. Your child is now at an age where they understand why the rules are there. Talking should be your go-to when it comes to disciplining your kids. You still need to be tough when necessary, but don’t punish your kids without letting them know why.
- Set clear boundaries. Children are always looking for ways to get out of things they don’t want to do and if there aren’t clear instructions about what needs to be done, a child will take advantage. By avoiding ambiguity and having clear rules, you may be able to prevent a lot of bad behavior from the get-go.
The best way to parent is to practice empathy. I know that it may be difficult to remember how you saw the world when you were seven, but give it a go. By better understanding the way your child thinks you will understand why he behaves the way he does.
Once you have a general understanding of your child’s thought process, then you can better decide the best course of action to take.
Parenting isn’t easy, as the old platitude goes, we’re all just kids raising kids. No parent is perfect so don’t expect miracles. Also remember that your child is his own person, in the end how they choose to behave is their own choice.
Now that doesn’t give you the liberty to give up and let your child run wild, but it should give you some comfort. Any good parent wants what’s best for their child. If you love your child and try your best, then you will be a great parent.
Additional Questions
How can I best help my 7-year-old? The best way to help your child is to love them unconditionally. When you look out for your child’s best interest, you may not come up with a perfect solution, but you will always be trying your best.
Why does my 7-year-old have so much energy? It could be for a number of reasons. Maybe your 7-year-old child has some sort of attention defecit disorder. Maybe they eat too many sweets and should have a more balanced diet.
Or maybe, and the more than likely in my opinion, 7-year-old children are naturally rambunctious and are eager to explore. If it becomes a problem, talk to a pediatricion for help.
