Hi all,
Really struggling with 7 year old DS behaviour. Everything seems to be an argument at the moment, and sometimes these can turn into huge meltdowns (apologies if not the correct phase) where he starts throwing things and sadly in the last few occasions has started lashing out at me or DH. It usually happens in the mornings and evenings when getting ready for school and bed. Instructions to brush teeth etc are repeatedly ignored and then I get the outbursts with comments such as you are the worst mum, I hate you, etc all because I asked him to brush his teeth.
Today, he asked to do some colouring before getting ready for bed, which I said was fine, the next minute I looked over at him and he had his head in his hands and said he didn’t know what to draw. I said it’s ok you can think of an idea, draw whatever you want etc and before I knew it he threw his felt tips all over the floor. I told him he needed to pick them up and then he picked them up and threw them at the wall and started wailing.
I don’t know where this behaviour has come from. No major changes at home or school- he is the eldest of 3, youngest is a baby but he dotes on her and this behaviour has only just started in the last couple of weeks. It’s like having a toddler all over again.
Everyone else actually comments on how mature and sensible he is. It seems like this side of him is only reserved for me and DH. I have tried everything I can think of, immediate consequences for the bad behaviour, tried talking to him to ask if there was anything happening in school or if he is worried about anything. He eats well, he sleeps well, but bedtimes are taking longer than normal these days with his current conduct.
I feel like a total failure. What am I doing wrong?