To think 7-8 year olds are hard work?

[LastRites]

My goodness my son is hard work at the moment! Please tell me this is a stage! I can’t remember my older boy going through this (3 year gap) but he’s a more laid back personality in general. I’m talking stubborn, argumentative and gets in moods where he just enjoys being difficult. I’ve always been consistent with consequences etc but he STILL pushes it and my 11 year old is like, ‘When will he learn that no means no, Mum?’ 😩

My 7 year old is easy. The 4 year old on the other hand …

I’ll take a 7 yr old over a 3yr old any day!

My youngest is 7.5 and I'm completely lost as to how to parent her.

babies: loved it
toddlers: genuinely found them adorable
my older ones are teens now and they're lovely.

don't remember anything like this.

I remember reading Steve biddulph's book on raising boys (plenty in there I didn't like, before I get shot down!) but he reckons 7-8 is another developmental leap for boys. Similar to all the ones during baby and toddler years that we give as a reason/excuse for their bonkersness, just that they're older. Can't remember what the answer is! Wear them out, I think.....

I could have written this! My 7 year old is exactly the same. I think it's a phase and developmentally he's coming to understand he can make choices and speak his own mind! So tiring.

God yes, i feel this? Mines 7.5 and everything is a bloody argument! They're awaiting assessment for adhd at the moment but i can't see how a diagnosis would change anything. Every day is a battle.

My almost 8 year old dd is a dream. An absolute delight. This could make me weep because I know it will pass and I
can’t have it forever.

This year the tulips made me weep for the same reason.

Perimenopause is a bitch (sorry, not the point)

I’ve raised two boys to adulthood and it goes in fits and starts. I hope you have an easier time soon.

Look for articles on ‘adrenarche’ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenarche it’s an emotional development stage that happens pre-puberty and helped me understand why my otherwise biddable 8 yr old DS was having regular all out tantrums!

Yes, my eight year old yr three boy had developed a ridiculous attitude recently. Acting like he thinks he’s a teenager. A friend is a headteacher and she said that in her experience boys of that age are notoriously difficult.

Oh I’m so glad I’m not alone 😂 Don’t get me wrong - he’s gorgeous and 65-75% of the time is an angel (and I know they’re nothing compared to toddlers!) and is a dream child in school / public, but my goodness the grumpy moods and challenging everything you say! He has to have the last word and will argue black is white. I’m definitely thinking it’s a developmental leap (I hope it is 😂). I really don’t remember this with my other one (5 was hard with him)

I have 6yr old twins. One is an arsehole, the other is a saint. 🤷‍♀️

And some nights he’s soooooooo hungry! So I’m thinking growth spurt. He doesn’t have a huge appetite and some days doesn’t eat much but then others he’s an unfillable locust 😂

Haha my 6 yr old twins are both terrors. Lovely, caring boys but their energy is through the roof! Very much hoping they settle soon!

I found it one of the best ages! Maybe your DC is going through a tricky phase rather than preparing you for what is ahead....

This.