Is this normal behaviour?

[Mumofthreeandme]

My 6 year old is going through a very annoying, rude phase.

Specifically, does this sound normal?

Bedtime, he was allowed to watch one episode of something on iPlayer in exchange for a shorter story. He agreed - deal. DH read him a few pages, then it was bedtime. He doesn’t tend to kick off or tantrum, but will revert to behaviour he knows pisses us off. He came to give me a kiss, licked me instead. He knows I hate it. Did it again, DH told him off. Messing around all the way up the stairs and into bed, making faces at DH and kicking his feet at him (not kicking to hurt, to be defiant). DH said if it carried on he would be in big trouble, then left.

Chances are DS won’t come out of his room, he’ll just go to sleep. But that type of silly/defiant/boundary pushing behaviour is very common these days and both DH and I get very annoyed by it.

Does it sound normal for a 6 year old? I find it bloody odd.

Totally normal boundary pushing IME.

Normal but irritating. They are coming to the age where they really try to push their luck

Totally normal. Mine is doing things like this at the moment because she is anxious about moving up to the next class at school. Lots of unknowns, new teacher, etc etc… kids do get anxious but can’t articulate it so it comes out in their behaviour. Could he be feeling a bit apprehensive about the new school year coming up?

Good to know it’s not just us! I never know what to try and ignore and what to get angry at. Feels like all I do is get angry and then he is definitely looking to press my buttons.

Yes he could well be feeling a bit of anxiety about the unknowns. He’s always been prone to this type of behaviour but it’s stepped up ten fold over the summer holidays.