Angry 6 YO Boy

[letsdothis123]

Hello. Sorry this is a long one so buckle up. Please help me if you’re able, heading into the summer with no idea what to do next.

Some context:
normal husband and wife family
2 kids, 6 yo boy and 4 yo girl
all happy, no real stresses can see
possible issue is he doesn’t sleep well. Goes to bet between 7-8pm and is up often between 4-5.30am. Sometimes 6 but an early riser. Has a late night once or so a week and still gets up the same time. Has 2 blackout blinds. Did the grow clock, didn’t work. Issues could be linked to tiredness.

Situation:
my son is 6 and has just finished year 1. Y2 in September.
he’s is so angry and rude and shouts all the time. He gets so worked up about everything. One minute he says “this is the best day ever” and minutes later screaming worst day ever. is horrible to everyone around him. Shouts so much. Screams at us. Totally unreasonable all the time.

Headlines:
will argue what day of the week it is till he’s screaming and slamming doors (ie saying it’s Tuesday when it’s Friday)

will have treats such as ice cream, ask for other treats an hour later and when told no or maybe after dinner won’t let it drop. Has a meltdown. Ruins his day and ours.

wont share the tv. Goes wild when we ask to chance the program (for his sister or us). Stook’s around. Screams.

flues off the handle about most things. Can’t even talk at a normal tone anymore really. Just always angry and wound up.

what we’ve done:
tried to get him to sleep more

limited / cut tv

tightened up on treats

made lots of threats and tried rewards

constantly reminding him of good behaviour and language and communication and explaining bad

nothing is working. Heading into the summer with so many fears. Anyone else had this?

Is he still in school @letsdothis123or have the Summer Holidays started? If he’s still in I would ask to speak to his Teacher about your concerns and if rhey have any.

This lack of emotional regulation is unusual at 6 and coupled with the lack of sleep sounds as though he does need some support.

What’s his eating like? Does he eat enough that waking early through hunger could be ruled out? There’s a good guide here on what he should be eating.

What do you do with him to help with emotional regulation? Does he going cycling/running/swimming and do you think he’s any less emotional after exercise?

Hi OP, when did this behaviour start? Sounds like he is just exhausted from his first year at school and needs a rest/summer holidays. My DD has finished her first year at school and we are well into our summer holidays (not in England) and she is like a different kid, very relaxed and easy going. The last few weeks of term and first couple of weeks of the holiday she was an emotional wreck. She was just tired and needed a break. I'd suggest lots of time outside with independent play ie walk in the forest, playing at the beach, time in the garden or park. Helped us a lot!

No suggestions but in the same boat. My six year old is currently exactly the same. At my wits end! Mine sleeps better than yours however.