Help to lessen a 5 year old boy's very bossy streak?

[hollingbury]

I would like to hear any helpful strategies to encourage my five year old not to be so bossy. He really orders everyone around; I am beginning to suspect it's the same at school. He says he's being left out by his friends, but we think it's more him, because he doesn't want to play their games, only the games he comes up with.

I find it really relentless and a pain in the ass, frankly. I know it's age appropriate but it's intense with him. he's a very smart boy, possibly more articulate than some of his peers and he's constantly talking, coming up with things we all must do. There is NO BREATHER.

Strategies to help him, please!

[BrightandEarly]

If he's quite bright could you explain to him in simple terms that you can't always be the boss? DD has responded quite well too "sometimes it is your turn to be in charge, and sometimes it's someone else's turn".