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Impulse control in 6 yo DS

2 replies

rogerfed · 16/09/2010 17:19

I was wondering if the wise women of MN could help me with my impulsive DS. The teacher pulled me aside after school today (isn't that always fun?) and she told me that my DS pushed another boy at assembly. This boy and my DS have a long history of not getting on together - nothing serious they just rub each other the wrong way.

But the teacher went on to say that my DS often loses 5 mins of golden time each week for 'silly' behaviour - mainly getting overexcited and not being able to control himself. He often swings his bag or jacket and hits someone by mistake. The teacher was quick to point out that he's not hurting people deliberately, but that he has a hard time controlling himself. We've had to deal with this on and off since he was about 3.

I really thought we were past all this though - shouldn't he be more mature at 6 going on 7? He is one of the youngest in his class, but even so I was hoping he'd be mature enough to start reigning himself in a bit.

I should say that it's not just at school this happens. I have seen him at home getting overexcited and literally not-being able-to-stop himself. For instance he cannot sit down at the dinner table for an entire meal. He's always getting up for something, fidgeting...

He's always really sorry when he misbehaves and he can tell me afterwards what he should have done - it's just he can't seems to stop himself at the time.

Sorry - for the long post. I guess I'm looking for any hints and tips on how you helped your DC control themselves!

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Peanuts33 · 16/09/2010 19:06

This could have been me writing this post. My 6 year old DS is exactly the same. He never means to do it but the amount of times I have to tell him that his actions have consequences and he needs to think about what he is doing as someone always gets hurt or something always gets broken. Never intentionally. Always just because he gets carried away with the excitement that he's just seen one of his friends etc.

He is a really lovely loving little boy but in certain situations he gets over-excited and acts really immaturely.

I'm not sure that there is anything we can do to stop this. I think we might just have to wait til they grow out of it but just wanted to say that you're not alone.

rogerfed · 16/09/2010 20:15

Peanuts - thanks for your message. Sometimes it's good to know you're not the only one!

I guess it is a maturity thing. I was always a little immature myself.

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