Whats normal? 5 year old boy

crockpot

Hi

I am at my whits end!!

MY 5 year old is bouncing off the walls!!

It`s been rainning since weds lunch- which I know does not help.

He has always been a livley boy but he has so much energy!!

I have put him back on fish oil and am watching colours etc in his diet.

He is good at school- and even takes pleasure in saying `im good at school-but naughty at home!`

My first chilld also a boy is so much quieter.

I try to keep him busy- but not always possible, my hubbie works shifts and long hours- I have no family to help-I work part time-school hours.

But each day I get up, prepare packed lunches,do breakfast,school run, go to work,school run,tea, homework or sports club,swimming etc put them to bed and I am ready for bed. So I have to fit house work in when there around.

Help!

Curious_George_2

I have found that one of my most stressful times of the day is morning (the getting ready for school zone!) time is short and kids LOVE to muck you about!
could you take a little of your pressure off at that time by making packed lunches the night before? or getting as much of it done before bed, then its one less thing for you to do when your in that stress out period (which can ruin anyones day if it all goes wrong)

could you get your kids interested in helping with the housework by offering them a little pocket money in exchange for tidying? this worked with my DD (just turned 7) and thank god as it was the last straw after it had got to the point that i threatened to put everything she left on the floor in a big bag and dump it!

actually, how about a reward chart? you will be surprised how good kids can get if the big black naughty marks are on display to the world! maybe the pocket money could be rewarded for a certain amount of stars on the chart?
with catagories such as "help tidy front room / bedroom" "got self ready for school" "eat all dinner" things like that?

hope some of this helps

hollyh

Hi

I've got 2 very lively boys who go stir crazy if they can't get out and run around.:eek:

I would stick some wellies on them and go for a nice long walk.

As for the housework could you get them to help? It might keep them occupied whilst you get on.

Queenie

crockpot wrote: »

Hi

I am at my whits end!!

MY 5 year old is bouncing off the walls!!

It`s been rainning since weds lunch- which I know does not help.

He has always been a livley boy but he has so much energy!!

I have put him back on fish oil and am watching colours etc in his diet.

He is good at school- and even takes pleasure in saying `im good at school-but naughty at home!`

My first chilld also a boy is so much quieter.

I try to keep him busy- but not always possible, my hubbie works shifts and long hours- I have no family to help-I work part time-school hours.

But each day I get up, prepare packed lunches,do breakfast,school run, go to work,school run,tea, homework or sports club,swimming etc put them to bed and I am ready for bed. So I have to fit house work in when there around.

Help!

Personally, the comment about good at school/naughty at home is a parents *dream*!!! Better that than the other way around!

So, it's raining!? And? Rain won't kill anyone, let him go out and burn off that energy!!!!

Some children simply *are* more energetic than others and it isn't quite right (although completely normal!) to compare.

If you should be concerned that maybe, just maybe, he is hyperactive, then do have a word with your Health Visitor/GP/school nurse - ultimately, they are the only people qualified to know and people on an internet forum can give opinions, but not a diagnosis

Fully agree with the advice of hollyh and Curious George - involve him in the housework/chores. It's an activity; it's using up his energy; it's teaching him life skills; it's shortening the pressure on you and your time!

My two at home sons are completely different in personality, attitude, energy levels, philosophy - no two children will be the same; we have to love them for their individualities! It's unreasonable to expect them to be alike. You can only parent them on an individual basis (I have 5 all told; all unique, all with different energy levels/personalities/needs/wants).

You also need to think about yourself in this! You clearly have a very full schedule, little support from hubbies demanding shifts and no external family support. Maybe you also need to review your own schedule? Do you *need* to work outside the home? Or, could you survive without that and therefore have the energy for housework and two demanding children?? It's a hard call to make, but it's one only *you* can make!

If it's all too overwhelming, I reiterate, have a word with your GP/school nurse/health visitor - their experiences are worth their weight in gold, because *they* can tell you whether your son has a "normal" energy level, or is perhaps, hyperactive or even ADHD??? Best to know one way or another.

Oldernotwiser

As my mum used to say "You're not a lump of sugar; you won't melt!" Get them outside, regardless of the rain, I'm sure they don't mind it. I totally agree with getting them to help you with chores; their future wives will thank you for it!

Queenie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As my mum used to say "You're not a lump of sugar; you won't melt!" Get them outside, regardless of the rain, I'm sure they don't mind it. I totally agree with getting them to help you with chores; their future wives will thank you for it!

Go on, admit it .. you had to play in the snow with socks on your hands as "mittens"!!!?? :rotfl: :rotfl:

Oldernotwiser

Queenie wrote: »

Go on, admit it .. you had to play in the snow with socks on your hands as "mittens"!!!?? :rotfl: :rotfl:

No, I had perfectly proper home knitted mittens, thank you very much! And I didn't lose them because the piece of elastic which linked them together went up my sleeves.

Kimitatsu

I agree with the above :T My boys are both lively and hate to be cooped up - they too are a bit bouncy. Wellies and waterproofs are the answer or take them swimming if its difficult with other children.

Failing that if the weather really is too bad then I find those soft play centres are a lifesaver!! You can sit down and have a well earned cup of coffee they go and make friends and run off some energy - well worth the 4 quid or so each that they charge for the kids. On more than one occassion I have resorted to time there :T

I also agree with the getting to school bit in the morning, from painful experience I have worked out it is less stressful to get as much ready the night before and you might sneak in an extra 10 mins housework rather than try to do it all in the morning.

And remember at the end of the day the housework will still be there so if you dont get it all done then dont beat yourself up about it. Superwoman does NOT exist!!

TheWaltons_3

Have all bags packed, clothes ironed and set out for everyone and make sure you can just grab everything you need when you leave in the morning - the night before.

This makes a hell of a difference to my life, as the morning and tea times are horrific... if I have to do all this in the morning.. I am stressed out for the whole day.


Can't you give your little one little tasks to do, such as feeding the fish or putting something into a bag for you ... just a little job that he can do and be rewarded for... ? This would make him feel like a 'big boy' and then you will be able to get what you need to do, done!

Sarahjovi

Are you giving your son something at home, that he doesn't get at school which might cause him to go a bit hyper! Perhaps a food/behaviour diary might give you a clue if there is something in his diet that causes too much energy! My son used to go hyper and stay awake way past his bed time if he had a cup of cola, however the same wouldn't affect my daughter! (This is an obvious example, but other things might affect him).

Sarah:D

nats3006

least i know wots to come i have got 2 boys, ds1 is 3 who is already a cheeky so and so!! and ds2 who is 7 months!!