Fake crying/over-reacting

[Anonymous]

My 5.5 yr old has started over-reacting to every bump or bruise. He also has started fake crying at virtually every disappointment (like not getting cheddar bunnies before dinner). I feel like I want to ignore this behavior but I am not sure if it helps.

He’s generally a great kid.

What should I do?

[Anonymous]

"Sounds like you are overtired. Time to go rest in your bed for a bit."

Removes audience and gives them time to self regulate. Also explore the possibility that an earlier bedtime or more down time is needed.

[Anonymous]

I ignore. If it persists, I suggests they go to their room.

[Anonymous]

Fake-crying, we ignore. Or we just tell her to knock it off because it's annoying, and then we ignore.

Real crying but massive overreaction, we have an earlier bedtime that day. For our kid, serious misbehavior or easily melting down is pretty much always because she's overtired, so she needs more sleep. And we say that's why we're doing it.

[Anonymous]

We tell the story of the boy who cried wolf.

[Anonymous]

Ignore it in the moment. But to cure it- more sleep and more attention at other times. When my dd does this, it's because she feels like she's lacking attention at other times or is stressed herself.