Son won't think for himself - ever

[odyssey2001]

Help. My son is almost five and he has almost no independent thought.

Given the choice, he would not eat or drink anything, play with anything or watch anything. He always asks us to tell him what he could do. Left to his own devices, he will play with the same thing every single day, not because he likes it but because it is the easiest option. He always takes the path of least resistance and always wants us to think for him.

Just once, I would like to have the battles other parents have with their opinionated children! I'm starting to worry he is always going to be this passive as he is exactly the same as he was when he was three.

Is he a school, how is he getting along there if so? Rigidity of thought can be associated with some conditions but that alone would probably not be a concern. Do you do it all for him, play with him etc. How does he cope if you don't or vary his routine.

He gets hungry, thirsty, cold, hot, tired etc as we all do. Give him a very limited choice when hungry e.g. of 2 food items . Place them on a table and and tell him to choose which to eat first, second. Do the same with drinks, toys, etc. Have him say to you which he chooses first. Do this until it's a habit then begin to ask verbally 'what do you want to eat /drink etc. Continue until this is a habit and begin to set the next stage. Tell me what you want for bfast/lunch etc. Have you discussed this problem with a gp?

Put the toy away in a toy box, so that he needs to get it.

What do nursery/school say about him?