Replies to 'Things That Worked For Us'

Hi, Im a 25 year old single mother of a wonderful 4 year old.  She is happy, loving and very smart.  She has been in daycare since she was 6 wks old so, school is nothing new to her.  Just this year she has started Pre-K at a local public school.  The first day, the teacher sent home a calender of the entire month.  If she is good and does everything she is told then she gets a smiley face on that day.  But, if she is bad and disobeyes the teacher, the teacher will write on the day what she had done wrong.  She also knows if she doesn't get a smiley face, then she gets in trouble at home.  The praising for a smiley face DID NOT work.  I have tried gounding her, taking away her favorite toys, and taking away TV and Comp. time.  I have tried time out, tried even explaining to her, in a way she understands, this is what you did wrong and this is what is going to happen as a result.  I also make sure to be very consistant in reminding her EVERY morn. what she is NOT to do.  Here recently after speaking with my mom, I have resorted to spankings.  Now this seems to get her attention for 1-2 days but then she forgets and is bad again.  My mother also recently told me that I was borderline ADHD when I was growing up and now have full blown Adult ADD  Im wondering if this could be part of the problem or if its just me.  Im soo frustrated, I don't want to spank her but, this seems to be the only way to get to her even if it is for a short period of time.   Any advise is wanted.  

Hi, Im a 25 year old single mother of a wonderful 4 year old.  She is happy, loving and very smart.  She has been in daycare since she was 6 wks old so, school is nothing new to her.  Just this year she has started Pre-K at a local public school.  The first day, the teacher sent home a calender of the entire month.  If she is good and does everything she is told then she gets a smiley face on that day.  But, if she is bad and disobeyes the teacher, the teacher will write on the day what she had done wrong.  She also knows if she doesn't get a smiley face, then she gets in trouble at home.  The praising for a smiley face DID NOT work.  I have tried gounding her, taking away her favorite toys, and taking away TV and Comp. time.  I have tried time out, tried even explaining to her, in a way she understands, this is what you did wrong and this is what is going to happen as a result.  I also make sure to be very consistant in reminding her EVERY morn. what she is NOT to do.  Here recently after speaking with my mom, I have resorted to spankings.  Now this seems to get her attention for 1-2 days but then she forgets and is bad again.  My mother also recently told me that I was borderline ADHD when I was growing up and now have full blown Adult ADD  Im wondering if this could be part of the problem or if its just me.  Im soo frustrated, I don't want to spank her but, this seems to be the only way to get to her even if it is for a short period of time.   Any advise is wanted.