Hey, looking time lurker here. I’m desperately after some advice/suggestions before I lose my mind.
My 6 year old boy has become unbearable after school, and I’m not sure if I’m the problem or perhaps he’s not having some needs met.
As soon as he walks out the classroom door he is asking to go somewhere/do something. Usually the park, but sometimes he asks to go to a cafe, a friends house, a shop, literally anywhere. Most of the time I will say yes (even though we need to get home, cook dinner, do homework/reading, bath, get lunches and uniform ready for the following day etc) but when I say we can’t, all hell breaks loose. No sooner than we are in the car (whether it’s from our after-school jaunt or straight from pickup) he’s asking me if I can play football in the garden with him, if he can call on his friends to play etc and I hate saying no, so of course (most of the time) I say yes. When I do say no, he will harass and nag me all evening. He will be stroppy and unreasonable.
he will play with friends most nights out the front of house (of course I will be there keeping an eye on him) so I still can’t get anything done. Occasionally they play in the garden but it’s constant in and out of the house/asking for snacks and drinks/asking for help with various activities. When I tell him it’s bedtime and he needs to come in all hell breaks loose (again). I give him 20/10 minute warnings before just announcing that he had to get ready for bed.
it’s exhausting. And I’m not talking physically, the mental exhaustion is taking its toll. Why is he on-the-go the second he leaves the classroom? Surely he needs downtime? I work full time and I really can’t keep up with this for much longer. Are most children like this? Any experiences?
thanks for reading and sorry for the long/ranty post!