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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

What's all this about testosterone surges in little boys?

55 replies

screamsprout · 29/10/2007 16:21

Ds turned 3 last week and I have had two friends warn me of the apparently dreaded testosterone surges that will happen from here on in. Apparently these will lead to some very difficult/aggressive behaviour.

Can anyone tell me more about this and advise on whether or not I need to build a shelter for me and dh?!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ArmadilloDaMan · 29/10/2007 20:09

yep - weather doesn't bother us (trashing the house cos he hasn't been out does)

MorocconOil · 29/10/2007 20:11

I love this thread.

Hooray for loud, aggressive, boisterous, bloody-minded, non-listening, temperamental boys!!!

In RL I often feel people are judging my DSs as though I am just too soft with them, and that's why they are a tad wild at times. It's so refreshing to hear that it's completely normal.

Lorayn · 29/10/2007 20:15

Ha! mimzan DP has been giving me a lecture today on how I'm too soft on DS, even though I put back his halloween costume when he started whinging about it in woolies ok, so I offered him a different one, but in my defence that one went back too

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:15

Not only is it normal, but it used to be applauded, lol! In all the 'old' books, little boys were supposed to be loud, obnoxious sods!

Mercy · 29/10/2007 20:19

Phew - it's not just my ds then!

Shouting, throwing, football, bang bang your dead, let's play the killing game blah blah

I think it's harder for a mum to understand/relate to tbh. Even though ds is more like me in temperament I still find it easier to understand dd on an instictive basis.

I've (finally) learnt that ds needs to be out and about and more physical/sporty somewhat more than dd.

ArmadilloDaMan · 29/10/2007 20:22

ds has also started to identify with male role models. He wants to dress like his grandads and adores his set of power tools so he can mend things like daddy.

Though he gets jealous if dp kisses or hugs me and has to push him off and cover me in kisses himself.

I think he's just clicked that he is male (he knew he was a boy before, but it just seems to have clicked).

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:26

Ah, that's cute!

My ds wants to mend things like daddy, too. It just hasn't dawned on him yet that daddy never fixes anything!

Bezfaery · 29/10/2007 20:37

Wow I knew I wasn't the only mother of a 3.5 yr old boy, but God it feels like it sometimes. I asked for a rough and tumble little boy when I was pregnant and boy did I get one. I think I temporarily forgot I had M.E. while flooded with cosy pregnancy hormones.
Loving the testosterone theory. Would also explain the willy fascination (caught him spitting on it the other day Ewh)
How do you deal with that without giving them a complex btw.
Totally agree with "Hooray for loud, aggressive, boisterous, bloody-minded, non-listening, temperamental boys!!!" comment. I absolutely love being shot dead then 'fixed' with an invisible screwdriver every morning - he makes me giggle, cry, scream and belly laugh on an hourly cycle but I always get an unsolicited hug when I most need it.

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:40

Yep! Boys are great

Lorayn · 29/10/2007 20:42

TheEvilDediderata, mine too, he is , yet agin, wearing dd's pretty pink nightie to bed tonight....

SorcerersCameroonianApprentice · 29/10/2007 20:44

I am totally in agreement, it is such fun having a boisterous, loud boy, especially when he goes all snuggly and comes looking for a cuddle and a kiss at the end of the day

BitTiredNow · 29/10/2007 20:45

yes, I love love love my two, although interestingly I am often told I am too hard on them (usually by mothers of one, much younger girl). I too am v relieved I am not the only one who is constantly argued with - and if it's not me, he is arguing with his younger brother, who will not give in an inch (it's a family trait!!) most of the time I go and hide with baby dd who is happy just to coo at me. As for the willy thing - I caught the two of them in the bath the other day saying 'you put yours in my mouth first and then I'll do it back....' - the baby Whisperer didn't cover that one......

SorcerersCameroonianApprentice · 29/10/2007 20:46

...and mine loves Strictly Come Dancing. But definitely wants to be a soldier when he's grown up

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:46

Never mind, Lorayn. They're supposed to be better to their mothers

Hey ho!

BitTiredNow · 29/10/2007 20:47

as for the pink thing - my bezzer's 4 yo is always in a pink tutu etc - mentioned it to a friend who is a reception teacher saying how well I thought my friend was handling it (ie letting him carry on) and she said in her professional experience whenever it is dressing up time, the majority of the boys in her class would also dress as girls.

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:50

Lol @ BTN

TheEvilDediderata · 29/10/2007 20:52

Yes, my SIL is a teacher and she says the same.

I can't blame them. There's a shocking lack of decent boys' clothing on the shelves, particularly with regard to variety.

Take boots. This time of year, in Clarks, there are probably fifteen different designs of girls' boots.

You're lucky to find any for little boys.

MorocconOil · 29/10/2007 20:57

Bezfaery, I tell my DSs they can play with their willy as much as they like....as long as they are on their own.

As for people thinking you are too soft with your DSs, they should try having to constantly discipline one testosterone emitter let alone two and see how blardy exhausting it is!! It's too tiring to be on their case all the time. They need to be left to run wild sometimes.

BitTiredNow · 29/10/2007 20:59

yes, I do, but it is a family rule that we intervene when they are endangering life, and sadly, that's about once every 5 minutes!!!!! - God Bless Gordon's and Schweppes.

BitTiredNow · 29/10/2007 21:00

I know what you mean, Ded, am very very bored of the boys' clothes sections nearly everywhere.

charliemama · 29/10/2007 21:01

The relief I feel having discovered my thread. My gorgeous little boy (turned 4 in June) has turned into a monster lately. I have been at my wits end especially as his little friends all still appear to be delightful. Ds1 has kicked me, slapped me, thrown things at me, and to top it all taken his younger female friend up to a bedroom to play 'bop the willy'!!!!!!!

I really thought I must have made some terrible mistake as a parent.

Despite all of this he gives me the biggest hugs every day and tells me constantly how much he loves me. He also is an angel at school.

orangehead · 29/10/2007 21:01

didnt really have a problem with mine, but the raising boys book is brilliant

Lorayn · 29/10/2007 21:59

LOL charliemama, may I ask waht on earth is 'bop the willy'??
I know ds is amazed at how stretchy his is and that he can make it stand up

sprogger · 30/10/2007 10:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Notquitegrownup · 30/10/2007 10:33

Love this thread! Wish you all lived around the corner from us. Our village is full of well behaved little boys who have never heard of testostrone [hmmm]

BTN - do tell! Did you react to the bathtime conversation?!

(I always end up sounding like Joyce Grenfell if anyone remembers her! "Now, George, that's not a very nice thing to say!")

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