My son is 2.5 and has always been very energetic. Compared to other children his age wherever we go he is always the one running off, bolting off, always wanting to play chase, hide and seek and always wanting to grab or play with everything in the space he's in. He is happy but very very full on. He never sits quietly or does colouring or anything like that. You can't take him into a shop unless he's strapped in the pushchair as he'd go crazy. We've never been able to walk along holding his hand as he will bolt into traffic so we use a bag with a reign attached, or keep him in the pushchair until we are in a totally safe space like a field with a fence! We try to find ways to let him run off energy outside as much as possible , go for walks outside, and we play with him as much as we can. My friend is an experienced childminder and says she's never seen such an energetic child and she understands why I always feel exhausted.
Anyway that's just for context. I'm sure there must be other children like this but wherever I go my son is the one who stands out. Has anyone else had a child like this? How did you manage their behaviour as they got older?
My son has been doing toddler football on Saturdays in the park as a way to let him participate with other children and let off steam but I've got to the point where I can no longer face taking him as he completely sabotages the activity for everyone each week, running off with the cones, running away, jumping in front of the instructor, rolling on the floor in front of other children so they can't do the games etc. I know he's only 2.5 so I'm not expecting perfect discipline, but the other toddlers there do manage to participate. In a class of 15 he stands out.
He also does NOT listen and I really don't know what to do about this bit because it's about safety. He will run into a road, or into someone's private garden and not stop.
I have tried shouting, stop, but he ignores and finds it funny.
He gets lots of love and affection from both his parents. We don't shout or raise our voices in anger but we do try to teach him what's appropriate and have clear boundaries and be strict when needed.
At nursery he's rough and tumble and comes home with scratches on his face sometimes. The nursery staff say it's normal for his age group. It's quite free flowing there and I'm not sure if a more structured pre-school (when he's 3) would be more suited or if that would actually make things worse and he would push back. Does anyone know?
I get he's one of life's extroverts and I can cope with how exhausting it is, but how do I help him learn to listen when it comes to safety?
I know he's still young but I'm worried he's going to be seen as the "troublemaker" as he progresses, and I don't want that for him as he's a gorgeous happy open-hearted soul.
Any tips gratefully received!