Hyperactivity in 4 year old DS1

[fruitstick]

Can I just start by saying that I do not think he has ADHD. He is lively, intelligent, boisterous but can be calm and concentrate when he wants to.

However, he has increasing hyperactive phases. These normally occur towards bedtime, or if he's particularly tired. They involve incessant jumping on furniture, spinning in circles, running round house, annoying noises (telephone, 'red indian', raspberries).

It doesn't feel like he is in control of himself. If you try to get him to calm down by sitting on your knee or something he physically can't stop moving - his leg twitches or he starts contorting his face.

Is this something he will grow out of or is there anything else contributing to it? Sometimes I think it may be dehydration or constipation as he doesn't like drinking much? Diet maybe?

And what is the best way to calm him down or prevent them? I can't seem to and I get more stressed about it. I try just acting calmly around him but it often doesn't have any effect.

It is only now DS2 is a toddler that I realise how challenging DS1 has been. I don't really mean it in a bad way, more that it has always been like constraining a puppy on a leash. Never really liked playing with toys, no real concentration, difficult to entertain. My strategy has always been to take him outdoors as much as possible and let him climb/run etc.

He started reception and seems to be settling in well, although the teachers say it is a struggle to get him to sit down.

He's a lovely lovely boy but I need to find some ways to help him.

Hi there!

Have you tried putting him to bed half an hour earlier?

They can get like this when overtired. It's easy to think they are full of energy as they seem like this but actually it's a tired response.

Just realised you say this yourself in your post!!!

Think your strategy of going outside is a fantastic one.

Also, think some of it is just their age- testosterone surges! I would avoid too much TV near bedtime- maybe none after tea? ARe you worried he will hurt himself/your property by this behaviour or is it just worryingly out of control?

Not much help but my ds (2.5) is very similar. I put it down to being overtired as it usually occurs just before bed and I literally can't contain his energy. I have tried increasing his wind down time but that didn't help, it has improved slightly by putting him to bed half hour earlier,but still has his crazy moments!

ive got a boy whos exactly the same, i swear its just a boy thing

Thanks all. Glad to know I'm not alone. Have tried getting him to sleep earlier but bedtimes have always been such a battle. They have got better but I suppose I could try bringing it forward by 5 minutes a night. He usually watches tv after tea so maybe giving his bath earlier might help and then longer between bath and bed to wind down?

I don't worry about him hurting himself, I just get annoyed, especially as it's ds2's wind down time too.

Even today, it's just so difficult to keep him calm. Its 1020 and I have to take him put now before he destroys the house?

I ban calorie intake (any food or drink but water) 30-45 mins. before bed, 6yo DS2 is going to bed a lot more peacefully since we started that rule.
Never had similar issues with DS1 or DS3, though.

DS is the same (4). Find an outlet for the energy. If he is feeling very very active, DH usually ends up 'play fighting' with him on the bed or something, or we encourage DS2 and DS1 to race up and down the corridor, otherwise he'd be boucning all over me feeding DS3. Sometimes he plays lovely, sits nicely with his cars, but other times he is just so full of energy. He is worse when overtired - I try and get a last blast out of him then calm him down with a cuddle in bed or something and a chat and story. He is also worse when hungry, even if he doesn't really know it. I think it makes them irritable and abit manic.

As for bedtime, I give DS chocolate horlicks sometimes. It at least makes him sit down as he wants a chocolate drink as a treat! Sometimes I give it in bed during the story & bring toothbrush into bed too for after. Then they are all tucked up and easier to get to bed.

Ooh, horlicks!

Overtiredness is a cruel thing to inflict. Ds was the same as a newborn, constantly thrashing around and getting more and more worked up.

Its a constant tightrope of giving him enough exercise but not too much to make it worse.

My DS (also 4) is the same. I've always struggled with him (I know exactly what you mean that it's like 'constraining a puppy on a leash'). He's so different to his younger sister, who is a calm, content toddler.

When DS is in the right mood he can concentrate for ages (he loves jigsaw puzzles and activity books) but most of the time he is throwing himself across the room, knocking over his sister and causing mayhem.

I did start a similar thread recently (about helping my DS to manage his emotions) and had some very helpful replies. I'm beginning to think it's not so much emotional as a kind of hyperactive mood that takes over him (he is definitely worse in the late afternoon/bedtime), but it can happen any time of the day.

Sorry don't have time to say more right now, but will return to this thread... just wanted to say I know how exhausting it is, and hope you find some answers.