Worried about DS2 's (aged 3) phobias......

[Gameboy]

I hope you're all going to tell me this is normal, but DS2 who is just over 3 yrs old DOES seem incredibly sensitive and gets in a tizz about all sorts of things....

Examples are:

• cars have to be 'lined up' properly (gets into a right tantrum if big brother (6) fiddles with them!
• he won't wear new clothes - we actually have to force new things on him while he's struggling. screaming - sometimes he takes them off and has a tantrum. If we can get stuff on him and force him to wear it for about 30 mins then it's all OK - a non-issue anymore (and will put it on happily the next day again)
• is completely 'label-phobic'! Wants labels cut out of T shirts. Won't wear anything with a label sewn on the outside... screams if anyone tries to put a sticker on his T shirt....

I'm just worried that this behaviour may be indicative of something more serious. His nursery teacher says he's a happy little boy at school - has lots of casual friends rather than one or two special ones.... nothing particularly unusual... except that she DID say that she thought he was a very 'sensitive' little boy (but she wouldn't be drawn further on this really).

Any thoughts?

Hi Gameboy, well I have a 6 year old and he had terrible probs with clothing even at a really young age - 18 months. He would not wear anything that meant dressing up. When he started school buttons where out and I had to hunt for zips. He has only just started to wear buttons and he is nearly 7. I have bought him some lovely clothes over the years which have never been warn. He is highly sensitive and I have just ordered a book called the Highly Sensitive child. If you want details let me know and I will hunt out where I have ordered it from. It seems really funny but since joining MN I have realised that all my worries for my little boy are also other peoples worries for theirs. Just keep talking and I know all will be ok.

Flowertop - thanks for that - I'll have a look for that book on Amazon, but let you know if I can't find it.

To be honest I think he's probably 'normal; really, it's just he's soooooo different from his elder brother, and I find it difficult to accept sometimes!

know what you mean by the brother being different as I have two poles apart. My youngest his highly confident and an absolute angel suppose one has to bring problems. I do love them both very much but DS1 does bring the worry. Maybe the tables will turn in their teens.