Hi All
My son is 5 1/2 and has for the last few weeks suddenly started throwing tantrums. They happen if he doesn't get his own way mainly. They do happen when he's tired or hungry but I can see that and know it and accept it and work through it.
He is starting to slowly get into real tantrums like throwing himself around, trying to hit and recently screaming at top note! I have put this down to him now being in Yr 1 and watching other behaviour.....but its creeping in more now and a good few times a week. He has always been a clever child, speech is very good and a nice, very kind , happy confident child. I am separated from his dad( ans with someone else) and have been for 2 years I'm beginning to think its my guilt that i'm not pushing down on his tantrums enough. My son does have a tendency to try and play me off against his dad ie - ' My dad is my favourite person' , ' why do I have to stay at your house I want to stay at my dads'. I have always been in tune with his emotions and interested in his development so am on the ball with this but I feel its getting to far now. Every time I clamp down on him he cries and says he wants his dad. His dad isn't the most disciplinary of dads and does let him get away with anything- so I see he is having mixed boundaries which isn't his fault-hence my guilt! But I haven't brought him up to behave like this.... Does anyone have any advice with this please? I think he is emotionally not a strong as he could be of a boy his age- any one any ideas on how I can help with this? I do believe he has had to grow up quickly....nothing sinister in the break up just went separate ways and we are still amicable.
With this he is also saying he's scared of pretty much everything. He is a confident character and sometimes I think he's putting it on ( but why?) he will not go to the toilet on his own, shouts down a few times after bed time, I go in the kitchen-he follows , I go in the living room - he follows.....Its like he's taken a step back in his development.
He is doing well at school, has friends and teachers praise him....I just don't know where to go with this. I'm feeling there may be an underlying issue because of the separation or is that just in my mind??......
Hmmmm any ideas, views or similar experiences would be sooo much appreciated if anything just for a bit of moral support or guidance. Thank you