Please can we talk about 9-10 year old boys

[frascati]

My ds will be 10 in January and up until recently he has been the model child (honest I am not joking). Never have to tell him off, laid back, does as he is told etc.
Just lately he is getting stroppy, rude answers back and as dh put it last night really irritating. If you tell him off he stomps off and cries.
I feel bad because maybe we are picking up on it more because he is usually so good.
Is it an age thing?

marthamoo ~ sorry but the bit about ds draping himself all over the park could have been mine.

I agree, Desiderata that post really made me feel better thanks. This whole thread has actually, me and ds have always been close and this recent change in him has reaaly been niggling me, not quite known what to do.

I guess it's definitely a hormonal thing!

ds gets more easily grumpy now, fodun him skuling in his room alone this mrongin after one minor altercation . He's normally pretty compliant but seems to enjoy winding his sister up atm.

I have just read a great book that may help you - How to talk so kids will listen and listen so that kids will talk. It is aimed at older kids than I have but I reckon could be ideal for you right now.

yes its his age.

and I thought it was something I was doing that had turned ds1 into a moody oik. Releived to hear it won't last forever. DS1 is 11. When will he turn back into that lovely son I used to have for more than 30 mins at a time?