AIBU to ask if 6 year old tantrums are normal?

31 replies

ScoutFinchMockingbird · 04/05/2017 14:32

DS had a classmate round last night. They are not really close friends, but have got on OK before and I always try to encourage DS to play with everyone.
His friend is a lovely kid but a bit more mature than DS and a tendency to lead and overrule. DS wanted to play one thing; friend wanted to do another and DS had a meltdown. Obviously I told him this was unacceptable at the time and we've had a chat since.
But he did the same with me recently when I made him do his reading immediately after breakfast (instead of a bit of to and then reading, which is our normal routine ata weekend)
As far as I know, there are no autism/Asperger concerns. His teacher has mentioned ADHD before but never followed it up as his concentration has improved since the start of the year.
DS is otherwise a lovely, caring lad with lots of friends. The tantrums seem to have come from nowhere. No home life upsets or anything to add to his stress. We have been very busy lately and he does a lot of after school clubs, so I wonder if I need to cut down.
Anyone with similar experience or advice?

OP posts:

arethereanyleftatall · 04/05/2017 14:54

I'm sorry, I responded to your thread title, rather than last question, so my response wasn't helpful. Sorry.

statetrooperstacey · 04/05/2017 14:53

Just checking in with sympathy really, not going to give advice. My 6 year old is an angel, my 11 year old still has regular tantrums now.

Apparently saying your child has meltdowns is offensive on mn unless they They have some kind of additional needs, so expect someone to come on and bollock you but offer no help.

My 11 year old breaks and throws things spits screams hisses and also growls. He's really strong. I could fucking cry sometimes. I'm going to watch and hopefully pinch some if your advice.

for you op.

I am reading divas and dictators, hoping it will help. Have a look at that.

arethereanyleftatall · 04/05/2017 14:53

Well I only have a survey sample of 2 dds, now 6 & 8, but neither of them have had a tantrum, or anything similar, since they were about 3 yo.

Original poster

ScoutFinchMockingbird · 04/05/2017 14:45

Sounds like my DS Starduke. We get the growling too. So far I've told him no more play dates until he can control himself.
I could try a reward system. It worked a treat when toilet training, but I wondered if it would still fit the circumstances. Worth a try I guess.

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Starduke · 04/05/2017 14:42

Oh my 5.5 year old gets so ANGRY now. He never really had tantrums as a toddler but since turning 5 he has had some whoppers. Not so much lying on the floor, but stomping about, slamming doors, growling at everyone.

So annoying - I keep telling him he can talk to me and tell me what's wrong (sometimes it's hard to know) but he just won't.

And he strops about the slightest of things - DH corrected him in his counting this weekend and he stropped for 45 minutes and only stopped because it was lunchtime and I said he'd be eating lunch by himself in his bedroom if he didn't.

I get the feeling that he just goes too far and doesn't know how to come back again.

No advice really, although we have had a bit of success with a "black mark" chart - if he loses his temper or is very naughty he gets a black mark. No idea what we'll actually do if he gets one but for the moment just the threat of a black mark calms him.

Original poster

ScoutFinchMockingbird · 04/05/2017 14:33

Read
instead of a bit of tv

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