8 year old boy behaviour

[CJL111]

Hi, just wanted to hear from other mum's with 8 year old boys, to ascertain whether my son's behaviour is normal for his age!

He's grumpy, defiant, having angry outbursts over petty things. Was very social over the past few weeks, constantly wanted to go out and play with friends. But since being back at school, comes in and only wants to play on his games console. He seems happy in himself most of time, and when asked if everything is ok at school, he says yes. Is this normal behaviour? Are they going through some kind of major change at 8 which would explain it?

Thanks

I did read something once about age 8ish there being some firm of hormonal development which was preparing the body for puberty - it gave it a name and I’m sorry, I cannot remember what it was or where I read it. However it resonated with me at the time as I had a moody eight year old girl!

Ah ok, that may possibly be the reason! I just don't want him to start isolating himself from his friends. I have older girls and yes we had the moods, but they always wanted to be with their friends. I suppose it's different in that they didn't have games consoles.

Me and my friends all agree age 8 was hideous for our boys.

My recommendation would be to limit Xbox time. If they can't go on it, they have to find other things to do and it's much easier to put limits in place from the start than to try to impose them later on.

I’m finding with my 8yo DS that he gets tired of being around people quicker since Lockdown - he’s not used to the constant input again yet. So he tends to withdraw for a bit on returning from a day of club or whatever, just to recharge a bit.

Yes, I've noticed that too, he's been playing with friends but seems to have enough a lot sooner than before

And yes, I do try and restrict. It's not so bad now he's back at school, he doesn't have the opportunity to play games as much, I suppose lockdown has a part to play too. Glad to hear I'm not alone!

I could have wrote your post. My DS8 nearly 9 has been hard work over the last 2 months! Got an answer for everything, moody, miserable etc etc. He's gone from a sweet lovely boy to acting like a teenager! Im hoping things improve when he's back to school.

Yep, I suppose they're preparing us for the teenage years!! My son has been back at school since Monday and he is definitely calmer, complaining about being more tired, but that's understandable considering they have been basically lying around for 5 months!

I also find he's not interested In doing anything else other than Xbox. He's never been one for Lego, puzzles, craft etc. He used to love football but has gone completely off that too, just obsessed with having a screen in front of him! It's been hard during lockdown as I've had to wfh and have pretty much had to allow this as I can't entertain him (he's an only and I'm a single parent). Let's hope they turn back into normal boys soon!

Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread!

Hey, don’t be daft. All opinions welcome! I’m the same, not a single parent but have been in the past. My son is basically an only as his sisters are 19 and 22, so he’s lived on screens for the past five months