Unhappy 6 year old ds

[appleandplum]

My 6 year old ds seems very unhappy, he doesn't really want to do anything and getting him to do most things is a battle such a swimming lessons, going out to park even sometimes, even asking him to do simple things can be a battle. He gets very obsessed with one type of toy such as ego and doesn't want to play anything else to what he's obsessed with at that time. He has struggled with friends at school in the past and joining in games and he started back at school last week but he was like the over the holidays so i don't think its school and had got lots better before the summer. He also had a school friend over in the holidays and went to play there a few times. He is the eldest of 4, younger twin sisters and a younger brother, so don't know if the large family dynamics could be anything to do with it. I just want him to be happy and not like an unhappy teenager!
Anyone know if this is normal and what to do about?

My oldest is only 5, but I can see some similarities to your post above.
We can definitely count obsessed with lego. We go through patches where it is all he plays with for several days. Transformers are the other big hit.

We also have days where he doesn't want to do anything: today being a prime example. He has literally eaten or watched TV all day. Been offered a trip to the park, a bike ride, baking with me, board game: no, no, no, no, no. So we have left him to it. I take days like that as he needs a slob day (we got out of PJ's at lunch time).

Battles: over what??? There are some things that we insist on, but others are optional. So dirty clothes MUST go in the laundry basket. But pegging out washing, or putting back in the wardrobe I'd ask if he wants to help.

Did he ask for swimming lessons, or have you decided he should go? Maybe its time to have a break for a few months?

He doesn't struggle for friends.

I guess I'm trying to say some of it doesn't sound unusual, but if hes that unhappy, maybe something needs to change, but I don't know what.

Hope thats been some use, suspect it might not have been tho. Sorry.