My 7 yo is A LOT of work and im exhausted by him. I love him tremendously but he’s wearing me out and I’m starting to not like him. I feel like the worst mum ever for saying that but his behaviour is really affecting our relationship and I don’t know what to do.
- he’s full of back talk and being smart. Any instruction or request is ignored and dismissed. Time to get ready for school, no I want to play; time for dinner, ignore ignore
- he’s grabby and jealous, has a massive tantrum if he perceives something as unfair (I also have a 3 yo who I have a mummy day with whilst he’s at school, if he finds out she had an apple juice or muffin at a cafe he’s furious)
- he’s constantly looking for ways to get a rise out of his little sister, constantly! (Although they do also enjoy playing with each other but lately he’s been constantly at her)
- he’s very impulsive - for example, we were at the swimming pool yesterday and there was a small metal fence, he picks it up, moves it around, etc. It’s like he can’t stop or control his body, he’s got tunnel visions . Despite my asking him to stop and telling him to stop several times.
- Mealtimes are a battle; takes forever to come to the table, plays with his food and drink, spills, talks endlessly; seems to have difficulty managing eating and normal mealtime chat (DD3 seems to be able to do this).
I love him to bits but I’m finding this stage so much more challenging than babies or toddlers. He was assessed for ADHD and ASD but no evidence of either, but does have a sky high IQ. He is doing fine in school (he had some trouble with finishing his work but it turned out a couple of children were teasing him, hence the ADHD/ASD assessments.) I try to stay calm and not be a shouty mum but really when it’s 11:00 and he’s already been told off a million times for picking fights with his sister, I really feel quite exasperated. I have tried having more time alone with him, that helps a bit but even then he is so stubborn and obstinate and wound up. Any advise? I’m really lost and struggling here.