i have a troubled 9 year old?

Has there been a big change recently, like a death in the family or a big move? You need to take him to his doctor and tell them what has been going on. Express your concern about putting him on medication, and ask what other options there are for him. At this age it should not be necessary to put him in boot camp. It would be a REALLY good idea for both you (and his other parent) and him to see a therapist, as a group and him alone. You might want to call the local juvenile hall and see if you can take him in for a tour and have an officer and maybe an child who they think would be helpful to talk to him. Is he involved in any kind of activity outside of school like scouts or sports? You might want to get him involved in a group or on a team, also see about volunteering and go with him. Let him see you helping others. You need to be an example for him, if you are doing the things right he will as well.

God luck!!

Boot camp might work OR make it worse, boot camps sometimes just teach troubled children the techniques to use their anger in other ways. Before you try out boot camps or karate schools have him analyzed by doctors with some blood tests and counselors see if they find anything like ADHD,Bi-Polar disorder, schizophrenia, or anything to that extent. Once everything else has been ruled out psychologically, and other interventions like meetings and therapy (not using drugs) talking to someone about his issues. If all else fails then boot camp might be exactly what he needs. Good Luck

I have a 9 year old cousin. He is a troubled little boy aswell...I really do feel for him, we all know that he is a sweet boy deep down, but he just has alot of trouble. I suggested to his mom that he should go and see a counsellor, slowly he is starting to show his sweetness on the outside. He listens more and doesn't swear as much and he is even starting to do some of his school work. I am really proud of him. His name Anthony.

I am an assistant teacher for 3rd grade, and at school (my work) I have came across plenty of kids like that. I talk to their parents and suggest counselling or co-curriculors. It really helps. Maybe a type of sport, it will get some of his energy and anger out.

I'm a 2nd year psychology student and have taken criminal justice courses as well. Psychologist and law enforcement instructors ALL say: boot camps for delinquent kids is a terrible idea-it ends up being only a temporary fix for their behavior yet scars them psychologically, sometimes permanently. Have you tried counselling for him? There has to be some reason for the behavior, especially at such a young age.

Avoid medication. It sounds like a quick fix that won't work long term (unless he is schizophrenic or something, but at only 9, I doubt it.)

Spanking never works. Spanking only teaches him that it is okay to use violence. It may sound neo-liberal, but it's true. It will come back to haunt you later.

Talk to him. Find out what is going on in his life. Who is he hanging out with? Get him involved in extra-curricular activities, especially sports. A tired kid is a good kid.

Have you tried medication? If he is adhd with impulse control issues, then getting it under control would benefit him in more ways than one.

It would also help train the nueropathways to fire in the right directions.

Medication is not evil

Have him take a tour of the juvenile detention center or the county jail where you live. They usually give free tours for parents/students especially if they are misbehaving and they need a wake up call.

Don't smack him, don't ground him, don't take his toys. Are you stupid enough not to no it's making him worse? Find him a hobby, no need to get all serious.

why dont you try talking to him

maybe something is bothering him.

he might not want to talk but try to get to talk

him you never know

get right in his face and scream at him. with any luck you'll scare him and he will listen.