My 3 year old DS has really changed our life and household. He is a very lively and energetic little boy and while I understand boys can be generally much more energetic than girls, he really tests us all so much. It goes without saying we love him to bits, I just really need to hear if anyone else experiences the same and if they got better with age. My older 2 DDs (8 and 10) also complain about him often. Some of his testing behaviours is
- constant throwing things, all things including toys and tableware. He just throws it. I have tried allllll forms of discipline / gentle parenting with it, he simply doesn’t stop doing it. He’s been like that since he was very little, as young as 6 months when he was weaning on high chair he would fling his food. Now he does it with everything. He’s broken so many things in the house. I’ve taken away toys and privileges, tried the “thinking step”, raised my voice, lowered my voice, spoken to him after about his unacceptable behaviour. Nothing goes in.
- his sleep. His sleep is killing me slowly and massively affecting my marriage. He takes up to 2 hours to fall asleep, running around and Jumping in his room for age before he sleeps. I still have to sit with him until he sleeps. and wakes up multiple times a night and is up from 5/6am for the day. I’ve tried EVERYTHING from dropping naps to changing bedtime time and all the routines. Zero change. He’s my 3rd so not my first rodeo.
my sisters think he’s abnormal and that I should get him checked. I’m starting to wonder if he may be ADHD or even autistic? I’m at wits end, absolutely exhausted and at breaking point.
is he even old enough to be diagnosed? And if so, then what? Does a diagnosis mean he can have any medication for his behaviour ? Mainly the sleep. I feel like if he slept well we would all be happier because I can’t cope with him if I’ve not slept and he a monster when he’s not slept well either.
help!