oh my. I'm not sure if we can even compare. I have bbg and the volume from my 2 boys is so loud, I can't imagine more!

but for what works best (mine are 5.5), is actually appealing to their good nature. I have a list of complimentary adjectives on the fridge and I try to observe their good behaviors and note the character quality (kindness, courtesy, empathy, stick-to-it-ness, generous, thoughtful, careful...). The better I see them, the better they try to be. They seem to want to live up to the image their parents have of them. If I point out their bad behavior all the time, I just get more of it. If I point out their good behaviors, I get more of it. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect by any means! But it's a learning process. and I think they are learning to really try to be good little people (most of the time!).

For bedtime, my three are still together. I sit in their doorway (door cracked open) until they fall asleep. They will talk and play otherwise. They get bored from having to stay quiet and still and go to sleep pretty quickly (usually less than 10 min). Actually, I really don't sit there anymore, but I used to, for months! Now I just crack the door if they start talking, and they think I'm there. I tiptoe back to the living room

For the morning noise- 5am. sheesh, I'd be furious getting woken up that early. do you have the room darkening shades on the windows to keep the light out? I compliment mine each morning they stay quiet- how pleasant it was to wake up to such quiet, how courteous/thoughtful they were to their sibling(s) still sleeping by keeping quiet, etc. For a year I tried yelling every morning but that didn't really work

I'd be surprised if they were all waking up at 5am, do you know? with mine, I know it would be one that would wake up and then start waking the others. if that one would have stayed quiet, he/she would have probably fallen back asleep, and the others would have probably stayed asleep.

but five boys, yes I can imagine the amount of yelling, hitting and fighting that goes on. if mine hit, they need to do something nice for that person (trying to teach empathy) and ask for forgiveness (being responsible for their action). with yelling, they are reminded about speaking politely, even to siblings. they would need to reword what they say. fighting- if they work it out properly, with words instead of fists, I'm okay with it. talking back is not a boy thing though and I wouldn't tolerate that. do you have a fenced yard? if mine can't play inside decently, I send them outside.

do you still have a nice bedtime routine with books and quiet activity? no tv? tv definitely gets kids riled up; it's not a calming activity even though it may appear that way. at least, that's what we've found.

bedtime for ours is 7:30pm. I get them at 7:30am.

Mary

born 12/12/04 33w2d