Since turning 5 over the summer, DS's behaviour seems to have really worsened.
He's constantly whining, huffing like Kevin & Perry if we ask him to do anything (e.g. get dressed), he's saying 'I can't' all the time & not listening when we talk to him.
He has also started having the kind of tantrums a 2 year old would have - screaming & crying when he doesn't get his own way. We've had to carry him out of shops kicking & screaming, and last week at a farm party he completely freaked out at going on a tractor ride with all his friends but without me. I was the only parent who had to accompany their child in order to stop the crying.
At swimming lessons he has now started crying before getting in, then not trying & just saying 'I can't' until they pull him along. He won't /can't play by himself either, constantly seeking one of us to play with him & getting annoyed if we're busy. He's not interested in playing outside at home anymore & refuses to go in the garden or even on the trampoline/swing/slide unless someone accompanies him & stands within a couple of metres.
It feels like he is very insecure & unhappy & we've no idea what's causing it. He's bright and full of energy, but just seems so negative at the moment. He's always been emotionally sensitive, but surely at his age he should be care-free? Does this sound like normal 5 year old behaviour or something more?
We're struggling to know how to deal with it (ignore/shout/give more/less attention/positive reinforcement?). We both try to remind ds that he 'can' do stuff, but DH finds it very difficult to ignore the whining & reacts when DS starts. I try to ignore whining & positively reinforce good behaviour, but DS mostly ignores anything I say & responds more to DH's shouting, but then I feel like we're not presenting a united front. DH has been looking online for help but all he's found is articles blaming the parents for the child's behaviour but no constructive tips on how to improve things. Sorry this is so long, didnt want to drip feed. Any advice is very much welcomed.
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Behaviour/development
5 year old behaving very negatively :-(
6 replies
omama · 11/10/2015 11:43
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