Talk

Flip

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

5 year old with deteriorating behaviour

4 replies

ritzbiscuits · 13/02/2019 19:03

Please help, my 5 yo DS's behaviour seems to be terrible at the moment.

He's an October birthday, so was nearly 5 when starting school. Other than some early tiredness, he's seems to have settled into school fine.

In the past few weeks he's been absolutely awful when he's with DH and/or me. Lots of screaming/shouting/crying, telling us he hates us, using bad/stupid language - calling us 'poo-head' 'baby-head.' He's always been a bit temperamental, but this is another level!

He's also started wetting the bed a bit and has been getting increasingly fussy about what food he'll eat. The cause of even more shouting and tantrums at the end of the day.

I really don't know if there is something wrong, or if this is 'normal' for a child of his age? I've googled a few previous Mumsnet posts, and there seems a lot of people talking about bad behaviour in the first weeks of school, but then easing. Seems the opposite for us!

We're on half term this week, and it's not helped we've been away for a few days, so lack of routine and some later nights. Going to be keeping things low key for the rest of the week, but would most appreciate anyone's thoughts on this - thanks!

OP posts:

Report

JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/02/2019 08:24

Could it simply be over tiredness OP? It's probably worth asking the teacher if she knows f any problems and how his friendship group is too.

Can I ask what time he goes to bed normally and what time he wakes? Do he have many after school or weekend activities?

How are you too? This can be a peak time for postnatal illness rearing it's ugly head.

Report

ritzbiscuits · 14/02/2019 13:53

@JiltedJohnsJulie Thanks for your response, I'm going to see how he gets on in the coming days but may well arrange a chat with his teacher to check he's ok at school. I think he's happy enough at school but don't think he's made any close friends.

He sleeps from 7.30/8pm - 7am each day so I don't think that's causing an issue. DH and my work hours means we struggle to get him down much earlier in the week.

I'm intrigued about the reference to postnatal illness? Am I wrong in thinking this only affects mothers with young babies? I'm generally tired and a bit run down but nothing that I think is unusual at this time of year.

OP posts:

Report

JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/02/2019 18:12

Post natal illness definitely doesn't affect just mothers of small babies. Left untreated it can last for years.

As for the sleep, does he wake up naturally in the morning or do you have to wake him? If you wake him, he's probably not getting enough sleep.

Report

ritzbiscuits · 14/02/2019 19:20

He always wakes himself so I think he's alright with the hours he's getting.

He's ended up getting a temperature today and was asking to go to bed at 6pm! Unheard of!

I'll put his latest bad behaviour down to tiredness/illness, but I will follow up with the teacher. Some of the behaviours have gone on for weeks, it's just come to a head over the past few days.