Can anyone offer any suggestions for dealing with temper tantrums? My 8 year old DS has been throwing the worst tantrums lately, and it is driving all of us nuts. He is so unbelievably stubborn, once he gets started, it seems like anything anyone says or does just fuels his fire.

I feel totally ill equipped to deal with it because he is so different from my other son. My older DS has always listened to us. No means No - whether he likes it or not - he did as he was told... 8 year old DS OTOH thinks he makes the rules! It is so frustrating!

I think he is being bullied at school - and that is something he cannot control - so he comes home and tries to "bully" us, because he knows he is "safe" and he needs to to feel like he has some power in the world. Of course, when I try to talk to him about it he just gets mad and tells me I "don't know what I'm talking about."

I am so glad this school year is over next week! Now, I know to be on the lookout for any signs of bullying next year, and I will be sure to make an appointment with the school counselor at the first sign when school starts back up.

Schools has been out for about 3 weeks now, and DS is like a totally different kid. He is not freaking out and getting super frustrated by the smallest things... He is cheerful, happy, and a pleasure to be around!

This summer, while he is not dealing with the stress of school, and bullies, we are going to work with him on improving his self esteem, and learning how to handle uncomfortable social situations without letting them get under his skin.