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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what's wrong with my son

999 replies

stressedmum0f3 · 21/01/2019 06:45

He is 4.5yr old.
Since July 2017 (when his sister started crawling) he has become obsessed with her and obsessed with being horrible to her.
I am crying as I write this so please be kind.

  • he will put toys in front of her, wait until she goes to get it then snatch it away
  • shut her hand in doors
  • make her spit on stuff
  • 5 toys that he got for Christmas he has broken (his reason, he wanted to)
And now his new thing he is hellbent on waking her up, at 4am this morning he picked up two toys clashed them together and said her name multiple times, then she woke up crying. When I went through to his room, he dived back into bed pretending to be asleep. I have a 7 month old now too and the behaviour is transferring onto her. (He will throw toys at her in her high chair) or he will bang toys off the floor to get her to look at him. If she does happen to look he will run away. And the other day he has started to pick the wall off Sad I am exhausted, I feel like I'm doing something wrong as nobody in the history of the world seems to experience this. I don't think we are all ever in the same room for too long as I cannot cope. I don't know what to do anymore. Does anybody have any advice?
OP posts:
Helix1244 · 21/01/2019 08:56

Does he play with toys properly?

If not that may explain why he doesnt care about their removal.

But he sounds like he makes his own fun.

Is he quite bright?

What you are describing is like when he has non directed time- free play.

Could you increase nursery hours?
Is he struggling with the less routine at home compared to nursery?

My dd is very similar but without the extreme violence.
She really struggled at school in yr r. Especially when in afternoon free play or lunchbreaks. She was better in year 1 in general when all the kids behaviour improved and less free play.
At 4 dd was sleeping 12h so unless he is going to bed at 6pm he may be tired.
It sounds like his behaviour was bad before any siblings.
Dd would never listen to no even from a baby and still now at 6 and pretty much has to be stopped physically. She would put anything in her mouth as a toddler. And like your ds would not stop at the pavement at 4yo.

So it sounds like your ds has a problem controlling impulses. And is quite defiant.

Hungrypuffin · 21/01/2019 08:56

You’re feeling threatened op, which is understandable, but ultimately no one is going to tell you that there is something “wrong”with your son as we are really not in a position to do that. What we can do is advise you on what you as a parent can do. No one is questioning your love or your intentions.

Kittykat93 · 21/01/2019 08:57

Op I feel really sorry for you.

I think your first priority must be to protect your daughter - she is being physically hurt by her brother - even whilst asleep. They should NOT be sharing a room alone together.

Emergency gp appointment - try and write down specific incidents that happen so you don't go blank when in the appointment. Even film the behaviour if you can. Sibling jealousy is normal but this sounds far worse.

notapizzaeater · 21/01/2019 08:58

My ds has adhd and autism - I remember one day sticking him in the pushchair as he had the biggest tantrum ever and frogmarching him around until,he calmed down. He screamed and shouted for about 1.5 hours, he wasn't going to give in until I gave in. I was walking round the streets with tears pouring down my face - it was so hard but he needed to know consequences and that I was in charge.

If homestart can't help can they refer you to someone that can .? A family support worker ? SS ?

leeloo1 · 21/01/2019 08:58

I'm not going to tell my dd to sit at the table or no food, She won't understand that. She likes to roam about and should be free to do so.

Not while she's eating she shouldn't. It's a choking /hygiene hazard too. And results in her brother hitting her head and throwing her food around. If everyone sits to eat together it'll be tricky for the first few times, then it'll make your life easier and your dd's life safer.

I think it's because I don't sit at the table so she does start off there but eventually gets up, my ds wouldn't have sat at a table at 2 years old no I'm not gonna enforce that. However wrong I may be.

So sit at the table with them (and look at the Internet if that helps). You say you didn't enforce sitting at the table with your son, but that hasn't exactly worked out well has it?

I'm a childminder and have little ones from 7 months up, all sitting to eat together. Yes it can be hard, especially if they have different rules at home (like being allowed to stand up in highchairs), but children learn quickly when it's consistent.

You've been given expert advice from a senco OP, so please try and give it a go following it.

Claw001 · 21/01/2019 08:58

It’s not actually about sitting at the table, it’s about you only having one set of hands and eyes! 3 children all in different directions etc!

It’s more about preventing situations.

stressedmum0f3 · 21/01/2019 08:59

I know hungry, it's just hard to hear. I want to make a difference but it's so hard and I feel so stuck. I don't remember the last time I spoke to an adult that wasn't my dp or done something for me Sad I feel trapped.

OP posts:
Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 21/01/2019 08:59

It sounds like a lot of sibling jealousy and he is taking out on her from taking toys to waking her up to make her upset.

stressedmum0f3 · 21/01/2019 09:00

There's only two chairs so no I can't sit at the table

OP posts:
Georgepigthedragon · 21/01/2019 09:00

stressedmum0f3 sounds like your having a really tough time. If I was your HV I would do a repeat development review and an Asq 2 to look at his social/emotional development as well. This can rule out the need for a referral to a child development centre. I would also refer you to a nursery nurse for support with behaviour strategies and maybe a parenting course. Get back in touch with your health visiting service and be really clear with what your worried about. He is under there care until he is 5. I very much doubt the GP would do that much at this stage. It does sound a bit more complex than sibling rivalry.

SleepingStandingUp · 21/01/2019 09:00

OP you need to get a GP appt. If you can't get an urgent appt for a child for two weeks for a child, I'd seriously look at changing doctors. Call them and call some more. Cry down the phone if you have to but you need to get some support.

What does HV say? Presumably you get one for the little two?

It does sound like it stems fro jealousy - he's had two new babies in quick succession, you're strapped for time, Daddy is never home.
He could be masking at school and then letting it all out at home or he could just know this is the best way to get attention.

Agree with others you need consistent punishment. If naughty step doesn't work in that he becomes destructive once he's there, what do you do next? If you take a toy away from him, how long until he gets it back?

Have you explained to nursery how bad it is? Can they offer any help?

And not sure if DH is working 13 hour days 11/14 a fortnight or out the house for that but he nerds to find time to job search. He just walk in, eat and go to bed pretty much, he's basically seeing them one day a week. Which is because he's providing for them financially I know but you need help

BitchPeas · 21/01/2019 09:01

Whatever you do the first thing must be to stop them sleeping in a room together. It’s so dangerous and unfair on your DD. She needs to be protected. She wasn’t born to be someone’s punching bag!

BarbarianMum · 21/01/2019 09:01

It is not that your parenting is "wrong" it's that it's not working for these children in this situation. Dont take it personally - very many of us have been there. It's tempting to think that it must be "something" within your child that is wrong but here's the thing - even if he does have asd or adhd (and if you think he does you need to see your gp) you will still have to change what you do to teach him to behave appropriately.

ChoudeBruxelles · 21/01/2019 09:01

As well as punishment have you tried rewards - which could be doing something with you without his siblings?

Jimjamjong · 21/01/2019 09:02

I don't think it's your parenting, some kids are easy and some are just more difficult but obviously you are trying to find a set up that work.

What about setting up his room with his toys and a baby gate or lock on his door? When he misbehaves you can send him to his room, not as a punishment but as a "calm down" time, he is safe in there and if he breaks his toys no big deal since they are his. It gives you a bit of a breather and deescalate the situation. Perhaps he will start playing with his toys a bit instead of going after his sister (which seems to be his go when he his bored).

ItsMEhooray · 21/01/2019 09:03

'She needs to be protected. She wasn’t born to be someone’s punching bag!'

I'm sure OP is aware of that Hmm

Claw001 · 21/01/2019 09:03

OP you don’t actually have to sit. You can stand! While the children sit!

ninjawarriorsocks · 21/01/2019 09:03

There's only two chairs so no I can't sit at the table
So do you never have family mealtimes, everyone at the table together?

hoodiemum · 21/01/2019 09:03

My middle child's behaviour was very similar. Violent and unkind to siblings, and to us. We got nowhere with naughty step or other punishments. The one thing I found that made a difference was taking time at bedtime to talk through all the good things she did. The bad stuff was dealt with at the time. Before bed, we tried to make her see the good side of her personality and make her feel more positive about herself and less angry with the world. It helped. Not a silver bullet, but it helped. Now she's in late teens she still has many 'moments', but is growing into an adult that we're proud of. Don't give up, OP. It's hard, but try to stay positive, and help your DS to feel positive too.

stressedmum0f3 · 21/01/2019 09:04

No never have meal times together. I don't think we do anything together.
I'm going off this thread now, I'm getting to upset probably a cop out but hey

OP posts:
Highonthehill · 21/01/2019 09:04

Op apologies if these things have been suggested or mentioned already but wanted to add some additional thoughts.

To me,.especially the car scratching thing sounds like he is pushing boundaries and trying to see what reaction he can get. Because the behaviour has continued he is pushing more and more by increasing the behaviour.

Have you tried watching supernanny or little angels or the house of tiny tearaways. These were on about 10 years ago but focussed on families with children that had behavioural issues Including adhd. You should get them on you tube but may help you to understand what is going on in your little boys head and ways to deal with it.

There is an element of ignoring some bad behaviour so he doesn't think it bothers you but when it gets to be verging on dangerous, nasty or violent then punishment is introduced but it needs consistency, so not giving up after a few tries but to keep doing it over and over (you will need your happy place)

I had to do this with my dd who wouldn't sleep without me in the room and would keep getting up. I had to just keep putting her down and sitting on the floor, over and over and over. I would sit with my hands in my head and count. It was hard and relentless but after about 3 weeks she learnt that it wasn't getting her anywhere and she self settles really well now.

My dd laughs in my face when I tell her off and it is so hard to keep my cool so I a trying very very hard but it does test your patience
When you tell him off do you get to his eye level and make him look at you. And when you take him off the naughty step do you ask him why he thinks he is there and if he doesn't answer properly do you leave him there longer to think about his actions? Or start the time again if he gets down or argues?

Does your 2 year old get punished if she mid behaves? If she does something and isn't punished he may consider unjustness and have a resentment.

Also when he is mean to the girls who you deal with first? Do you tell him off or check the girls? Might be worth trying it the other way around for a while to see if it has an impact.

I know you are bf and that is Amazing but have you considered changing to bottles for your own sanity?

I would also try to find a child psychologist or behavioural specialist that can monitor you in the home (you need to behave normally) to try and help develop some techniques.

You may also want to consider counselling yourself. It's great for people even without a diagnosed mental health problem as it's way of venting your feelings without worrying about someone judging you or jumping in with some helpful advice but rather you finding ways to deal with your emotions yourself and understanding why you might feel how you do.

It's going to take time, don't forget these little humans aren't born with functioning filters or boundaries, they are constantly learning and we are there to teach, even if we don't like teaching every minute of the day. Alot of behaviours are learnt but they can be retaught everyone has the ability to change with guidance and support.

Try and take some time for yourself!

Oh and thoughts on nursery, there is a whole theory on pack mentality, my dd is a different person at nursery and I believe it's because she is doing what everyone else does.

You can do this op.

ChristmaspArti · 21/01/2019 09:05

Can you try 'time in' rather than 'time out'?

Itstimeslikethese · 21/01/2019 09:08

Hi I feel for you , but things will get better when you get the right help needed. It Sounds as if he is on the spectrum, I knew a boy like this & turned out he has Aspergers , he works in a shop now & has calmed down a lot , so things can work out well in the end. Get that GP appointment!

SlowOx · 21/01/2019 09:08

I don't think you, or anyone on this thread, is taking it seriously enough how much he is intentionally hurting your daughter. Pushing her down the stairs, pushing down on her stomach while she sleeps until she coughs and wakes up? This is a two year old child. What kind of life is she living, being physically assaulted every day? I think all this "try the naughty step" stuff is madness. Obviously you've tried lots of different parenting methods OP. No I don't think it's just sibling rivalry or your parenting not being good enough. Everyone posting likes to be smug and think "well I parented my first child really well when my second came along, I ~lovebombed~ them and gave them pasta shapes, so this didn't happen to me." Yeah okay. But I doubt the behaviour they had to deal with was this extreme. So it's not the same thing.

Have you thought about getting social services involved now, for the sake of your younger children? They might be able to get you respite care for the older child, or get people to take it more seriously.

sayitisntsojo · 21/01/2019 09:08

Have you watched any super nanny or the other programme about violent children getting help. Not necessarily to solve your problem but to know that you are not alone and that their is a light at the end of what seems to be a very dark tunnel. I can see on this thread you are feeling attacked and understandably you are feeling defensive. I know I would be but there are lots of different pieces of advice. Maybe you can re read the advice when they are all in bed?