Is this behavior normal for a nearly four year old boy?

[HumphreyCobbler]

I have got to the point where I no longer have any sense of perspective.

DS has started behaving in an incredibly manic and silly manner. He says everything in a silly voice, never sits still (I mean NEVER), can't play with us without leaping all over us and ending up hurting us by banging heads and such like. I took him out shopping on our own the other day, normally he loves this and enjoys the one to one attention. On this occasion he started rolling around on the floor of the shop, laughing hysterically as I got crosser and crosser. I ended up picking him up in order to get the shopping done, whereupon he started poking me in the face with his finger and laughing. I just couldn't stop him, the minute I stopped one behavior he started another.

He has suddenly stopped eating again , we had made so much progress there. He keeps bursting into tears over problems as well, this is also a new development.

Is this a phase? How should I deal with it?

[whoknowswhatthefutureholds]

ignore the stuff you don't want him to do totally. he wants attention

then praise him, give loads of attention for good stuff,

the most simple yet affective advice I was ever given. (hard sometimes to ignore but well well worth it)

[HumphreyCobbler]

thank you

is it not unusual for this age child to get so suddenly manic?

He has been a bit poorly lately and his eczema is pretty bad. He has had daily doses of antihistimine and I was worrying about side effects (sorry to drip feed info, am a bit harrassed).

[oranges]

its normal. my ds got manic too - turned out he needed way more sleep and a really early bed time. he had stopped eating too but his appetite returned with the new routine. I also fed him his food for a while just to get it down him.

[HumphreyCobbler]

that sounds very reassuring, he ISN'T getting enough sleep or enough food. I will shovel it in whenever possible.

cheers

[TheProvincialLady]

My DS1 suddenly started having silly and manic periods as soon as he turned 4, but they are only for short periods or maybe the odd bad day. What you are describing sounds a lot more extreme (but may be perfectly normal, my DS1 is usually quite a chilled out type so I can't say)

[HumphreyCobbler]

well I wouldn't actually describe ds as chilled out

lively is the term we use

[LEMONADEGIRL]

same here DS turned four a fews ago and behaves like this - am sure he thinks we are all trampolines which is hard as I am only 5ft
I do worry about his behaviour being normal etc but am reassured it is but it drives me to distraction some days so I do sympathise

I do envy those that have seemingly chilled children but on the upside he is a kind sensitive loving boy as well

[oranges]

When ds was being a nightmare, I also found I was getting furious and had an urge to really, really thump him (which I didn't do, thank god). It scared me so much I took a step back, handed him over to dh for a few days and slept, rested and ate well myself, THEN launched back in as a calmer, more serene me. I know now that when he starts playing up, the first thing I need to do is walk out the room, have some tea, then walk back in and deal with him or it all spirals.

[colditz]

Has he had unusual squash or sweets today? Has he suddenly started eating something he doesn't eat normally?

[HumphreyCobbler]

Thanks.

More sleep, more food, and more exercise then.

And more alcohol for me.

[LEMONADEGIRL]

I should add that I continually try to praise good behaviuor and deal with the naughty on a scale of is actually dangerous to himself or others and counting to 10 before dealing with other behaviour iyswim

[HumphreyCobbler]

Ah, our next door neighbour gave him a custard cream and I have wondered about these before. He had birthday cake and squash at nursery and ate very little actual food.

His skin is terrible, it must really itch too.

[HumphreyCobbler]

too much sugar and not enough food? I don't really think he eats much sugar, it is just that sometimes that is ALL he is getting. Shall ban all biscuits.

[NightLark]

My DS is 4.7 and very, very silly at the moment. And very emotional. So you have my sympathy and understanding!

DS doesn't have any sense of his own limits or of anyone elses.

So he plays up like a loon, rushing from one thing to another, throwing himself around, running and jumping and skidding and teasing his sister, then bursts into uncontrollable tears when either he gets hurt (crashing his bike, banging his head on furniture etc) or when he gets told off.

I have it on experienced authority that 'rising 5's' get like this as quite a normal stage.

Hormones, I say. Don't they get a big testosterone shot at 4 ish?

[laughalot]

Im still experiencing this and my ds is 6

[CharlieBoo]

Yes me too and my ds is 5.8!!! All very normal forthis age group... My ds just can't sit still, is big into play fighting with anyone who just happens to be there, willing participant or not. He also doesn't stop talking!!!! He is programmed on off or 100 mph some days!

[baskingseals]

i would second lots of jumping around activities. put the music on, throw a few cushions on the floor and ta da - musical chairs. sofa obstacle course. wellies on and a bit of puddle jumping/leaf throwing.

i HAVE to exerciese both boys every day otherwise life is just not worth living, also try to focus on one when the other is asleep - funnily enough this usually ends up be a tickle fight/rolling around on the floor type activity, rather than anything creative with a pritt stick and a sequin.

try and relinquish a bit of control and let your ds choose what he does, even if it seems like nothing to you. i honestly think that a lot of what we do is for our own consciences, and doesn't actually bother the dcs one way or the other. WE feel good if we've made fairy cakes or done some junk modelling - i don't think they really give a flying fig.

he will come through this and out the other side, and so will you. whatever 'normal' is he sounds pretty normal to me - just got lots of energy.

for his skin, have you tried oatbran in thebath? you put some in a muslin and tie it over the tap, it has helped dd - might be worth a try.

[HumphreyCobbler]

thank you everyone, am feeling much more in control (of myself I hasten to add) this morning. Your advice is much appreciated.

sadly DS's eczema is so bad that the last time we tried to have a steriod break he ended up with a massive infection all over his legs Oats used to work brilliantly but are now something else that irritates his skin.

[lukewarmcupoftea]

Shineon - it is linked to the meds. We had the same when dd1 was hospitalised last year with a bad asthma attack. Was a frigging nightmare. Asthma now largely under control with preventers, but if we do have to give her a relieve you can see her shaking it hypes her up so much (but at least she can breathe!).

[HumphreyCobbler]

thanks for that

so it was the internal steroid that made a difference? he only has topical steroid at the moment but we have been using a stronger one lately. he also has had a lot of antihistimine to control the itching, whereas before we only used it occasionally

Glad your ds is better from his asthma, and your dd lukewarmcupoftea

I actually slept last night so perhaps I will be able to cope a bit better. You are right that consistency is the key.

[HumphreyCobbler]

antihistAmine sorry

just googled and over excitement in children is a common side effect

bloody hell

[lukewarmcupoftea]

Shineon - if you look at the side effects on the blue puffer (if you have one), it includes hyper activity, seeing things that may not be there etc. So your gp obviously knows his arse from his elbow .

Humphrey - sounds like it could be that then. Doesn't help with dealing with the behaviour though!