And Now He Growls!!

I'm thinking this isn't really that big of a deal. Really, there are so many more unpleasant things that he could do (and of which he would probably start doing as soon as you "correct" the growling behavior). Chose your battles, mamma. After all, everyone has to express thier anger somehow. Just validate his feelings and give him words that he could use to express himself. Like saying " I can see that you feel angry/frustrated." Someday, his verbal abilities will catch up with his emotions and he'll use words to express himself.

Hi I am a stay at home Mom of four. My oldest daughter was a handful. She used to scream when someone said hi to her. He might not even do it at school and the teachers will help you. The more I made a big deal about her screaming the more she did it. Finally I stopped telling her to say hi or to not scream and she stopped. Of course there were people that thought that I should make her but she was 3 and was it really a big deal if she didnt say hello or screamed. I wish that was my only problem today. Dont worry so much he will stop.
C.
Mom to Danielle, Nicole, Amanda & Joe-Joe
http://colleend.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

My daughter is also a "growler". I just try to tell her that mommy does not like it when she does that and it makes me sad, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know where you live but I go to a great Mom's group at my church in North Haledon, NJ.

Growling is much better then hitting - right?! My husband is 28 and still growls sometimes when he is about to "blow" - I would rather that then when he use to punch holes in walls....
Sometimes we all do something silly - but atleast your son is not hurting anyone or himself... so I would just let him do it - it might be a "phase" - they change so fast at this young age.... Just think it could be worse.... for now, I wouldn't sweat it.

S. B.

I had to laugh when I read "and now he growls", because my almost 6yo growls when she is angry, and I think it is the funniest thing. Maybe if you tell him he could scair people, and just to use his words to explain how he is feeling. Or, maybe you can make up some kind of story about a little boy that used to growl that turned into a dog or something.

I know the growling is pretty anoying, but it is better that hitting. GOOD LUCK!!

I agree with Leah P. My son does this, lol even I do at times. But it's a way that we can let our frustrations out. But I know it can be aggrivating at times to those around.....and it can also be a source of laughter afterwards. It would be good to give him words for his "growling". So hopefully it doesn't get to be an ongoing habit. My problem is, that I don't always have the words for my feelings. and it's a burst of frustration and the growling seems to help. I think that's my son's problem as well. He's in fifth grade and the kids in school pick on each other. I think he feels like they pick on him extra more than other kids. I wonder if he growls. I don't know if I offered much help. Except the been there done that. I do think that if he was offered the words, then maybe it would go away?

Holly