How do you know if your DC is just lively or if there is something else going on?

[NovelGazing]

DS is just 3. Very, very active. Always has been. Very physical. Very loud. Fellow parents comment on it. Strangers in the street tell me I must have my hands full with him. He is at his happiest in the park where he can charge around and be boisterous.

Inside activities he finds difficult. He climbs on windowsills, unlocks doors, climbs over stairgates, opens fridges, switches on washing machines, throws himself off furniture, jumps of the stairs 5 steps up. The only thing that quietens him is TV. Cannot do drawing for more than a minute, did used to enjoy puzzles but not anymore. Always wants to be on the go. Won't sit down to eat food. Runs off when out walking. If he doesn't want to listen he just repeats a silly noise over and over to drown people out. All with a smile on his face .

He is actually a clown. He likes people, is confident and friendly and can be kind and caring, but often tips over into a mad thing. He is worse when tired and still needs a nap in the day.

He is lovely, honestly, but I recognise that he is very hard work, and I am thankful for the days he goes to pre school (where is is exactly the same). Is this just normal, boyish-ness or should I be thinking he is just a bit 'too much'??

well it was normal for my ds at three, anyway!

Apart from the loud bit - he wasn't particularly shouty, but everything else, I recognise!

ds would sit down to eat WHEN HUNGRY - and I did not allow him to eat until he was in a chair, so we didn't have too much problem there; but once he was full, he was off; no sitting around while other people finished, no way!

Your ds sounds a delightful bundle of energy, but very hard work - make the most of the breaks while he's at pre-school....

I take it the pre-school haven't expressed concerns?

Thanks HG - that is helpful to know .

DS's pre-school do comment on his behaviour but have not brought it up as a universal concern. They do compare him to his older siblings though, who were very different. They are good at managing all kinds of behaviour but I think hey are surprised he is from our family iykwim?

As for the food thing, he likes little and often, so mealtimes are just a pit-stop for him until his hunger is sated, then he wants off again. Most times are spent with me putting him back on his chair a multitude of times.

Does anyone have any idea of at what point, or what behaviours would be ringing alarm bells?

Anyone else got anything helpful to add or has everyone gone to bed ?.

my dd1 is very similar! all i have found that helps is lots and lots of exercise!! she goes dancing three times a week and swimming once a week plus walks/runs with the dog! park at least once a week, usually more but she is still never tired enough to sit still or even sleep!!

also no sweets/drinks with artifial colours. my nan gave her a few 'sprinkles' for ice cream earlier! dd1 proceeded to wreck her garden flinging sand everywhere, riping flowers and leaves off plants and very nearly put the french windows through whilst trying to 'clean' them with a sweeping brush

its not untill they start school at about 5 that anything more sinister can be ruled out/diagnosed and even then its trial and error!

Micci - thanks for that. I agree, exercise is crucial! He definitely needs walking like a dog Your dd in the garden does sound like mine...

He does seem to get worse with sugar, or any kind of exciting or unusual situation, or when he is tired - he goes more manic then

It is just hard to know. I know on the scale he is at the bonkers end, but just how bonkers is bonkers lol!