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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My boys are wild

4 replies

AStepAtaTime · 20/04/2024 16:55

Two boys, aged 6 & 9. They are very kind and sweet, would do anything to help out if someone needed it. But they are WILD. The level of physical exuberance and energy takes some beating. They play soldiers upstairs, and all I can hear is rolling/thudding/screeching. It sounds like they are seriously hurt but no, it’s part of the game. They roll around on the sofa and jump in each other and play fight there. Pillows, knee-drops, launching themselves across the room. They go out in the garden and cross-fight with sticks and shout orders at one another. They take their clothes off and dance around naked and find it hilarious.

They can’t seem to ever sit and just watch a film, or chill the fuck out. Mum had them for an afternoon to give me a break. They ended up in the pond. Literally in it, and all their clothes had to be changed.

I run them off at the park, take them on walks in the woods - again they fight each other with sticks or build forts and barricades. No other children seem to do this. They are so so wilful. Older one is a handful. Doesn’t listen, purposefully ignores me. He winds his brother up - I can’t seem to get him to relax. They get cross and tired and hungry and hit each other and shout. It’s a struggle. They talk about poos, bums, willies all the time. Anything crude or inappropriate to do with body parts sets them off.

I am finding them hard work. Does anyone else have boys like this? To say they are spirited would be an understatement. And yet the bond between them is very strong - they seek each other out all the time and the older one has a kind of paternal empathy towards the younger one. I’m very tired

OP posts:
kelsaycobbles · 20/04/2024 17:12

Well energy and needing lots of exercise is fine

The older one could certainly start organised sports if you can afford that

The not listening , purposely ignore you- completely unacceptable and mostly under your control - what are the punishments for doing so ? What are the punishments for hitting ? No puddings ? No TV or computer time? Made to sit in a Time out space ?

It will be hard to turn this around as it's best to instill discipline and self control from a younger age but it can be done

clearmoon · 20/04/2024 17:15

divide and conquer.

make sure you have regular alone time with each one, while the other is with your partner, or at an activity. An hour a day each? or half a day a week each? or similar

clearmoon · 20/04/2024 17:15

and dont let the older one get away with ignoring you or disobedience

Octavia64 · 20/04/2024 17:18

Get them in as many sports clubs and classes as you can.

Stuff like rugby, football, martial arts.

It'll help them both burn off energy and learn to control themselves a bit more.

(We had regular after school sports every day for many years)

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