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Original poster

Does this sound like your average six year old. If so how do you cope?

82 replies

twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 10:56

She is an only child which I think think is a factor. She does not stop talking or singing. She is always dancing or jumping about. She is always trying to do flips over the couch. If we walk somewhere she can't just walk she has to skip or swing or jump on things. When she is on the phone she can't sit and talk she has to circle the room climbing on and off furniture. She is very accident prone. She is very popular with other kids but it amazes me as she can be mean and argumentative.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:00

Back again as I am on mobile and can only do short messages. She constantly wants attention and for dp or I to play with her. She seems unable to entertain herself. Despite this boundless energy she becomes instantly exhausted if you ask her to help.

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snotgrobler · 10/08/2008 11:04

Yes sounds about normal

ThatBigGermanPrison · 10/08/2008 11:05

Soounds just like my 5 year old, if that helps. He's not mean but can be "Exuberant" (rough!).

The instant exhaustion upon being asked for help is SO ANNOYING. Makes me want to shout "Oh, so you have the energy to run up and down the stairs twenty million bloody times, but not to take something with you and put it in your room, eh? EH?"

BigBadMousey · 10/08/2008 11:07

Yes, sounds very normal to me.

How do I cope? I count my lucky stars she isn't ill and has all that energy. She's had several bugs recently and I found it really nice to see her so active again when she got better. With the talking / singing I tend to put some music on for us all to sing to (esp in the car when there is no escape from it!)

I have three DCs - I don't think being an only child makes any difference.

Maybe you could find some dance classes or similar for her to direct her eneergy towards?

This all sounds rather smug doesn't it? Best add that at times it does drive me mad too!

psychomum5 · 10/08/2008 11:07

sounds like my 6yo!!

he has to constantly make noise, be it singing, talking, humming, shouting......very tiresome at times!

and as for the bouncing and skipping......yep to that too!

and he is the youngest of five, so nowt to do with being an only.....more to do with energy and a very active brain I reckon.

WilfSell · 10/08/2008 11:08

One word: trampoline.

Slouchy · 10/08/2008 11:08

Normal.

BigBadMousey · 10/08/2008 11:10

DD1 does the instant exhaustion too - I counteract it by making it into a frantic race 'quick take your shoes upstairs before the shoe-monster eats them' or somesuch nonsense .

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:11

I was really hoping you were going to say that is not normal but if you give her this supplement she will be a dream child.

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Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:19

She is wonderful there are lots of positives I could post. This has come to a head as we have just moved so she has no friends here. Normally she plays out all day whereas here she just has us. I am in the process of starting her horse riding and dancing again. My mum seems to think she is some kind of demon child.

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Goober · 10/08/2008 11:19

Would you want her any other way?

Think yourself lucky.

So many poor children are physically disabled, or have emotional problems and you seem to resent a healthy, enthusiastic DD.

Take a look around you and count your blessings.

ThatBigGermanPrison · 10/08/2008 11:19

There's a supplement?

Actually there is something to make you deal with it better - they are call Army Issue Ear Protectors. I have a pair and they are a Godsend.

WilfSell · 10/08/2008 11:21

Yeah lots of sport and running about it the only way for a child like this. Something like taekwondo might help her learn a bit of physical self control also.

But really if you have room a trampoline is a godsend. You can just banish them to tire themselves out for half an hour.

Or if no room and it's raining, lots of cushion bouncing and dancing helps.

podsquash · 10/08/2008 11:23

I was kind of hoping my 3.5 year old would grow out of this but it sounds like a personality thing! I have found that being quite structured with him helps... instead of saying 'Now what shall we do?' I say 'Let's play cars!' or 'Playdough!' or whatever. It might only last 5 mionutes but after 5 or 6 games led by mummy he suddenly seems happier to go and play in his room for a bit!

Also, love the book Playful Parenting as it helped me a lot...

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:30

She has always been like this. We do have room for a trampoline but will they not ruin the grass underneath.

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SlartyBartFast · 10/08/2008 11:31

i think when they are older only then can they actually learn to relax.
still waiting for 8 year old to learn but her older siblings are better! I actually think it's lovely that she doesnt walk, she hops and skips and jumps off walls to get from a to b. i remember being the same.

LurkerOfTheUniverse · 10/08/2008 11:32

my dd is exactly the same, it's exhausting having an only child!

dosen't matter how much time and attention you give IT IS NEVER ENOUGH

WilfSell · 10/08/2008 11:33

They do ruin the grass but it will only be for a few years and god they're worth it: you can always returf that spot later...

DoubleBluff · 10/08/2008 11:34

sounds normal to me.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:34

That was a bit harsh goober I certainly do not resent my dd. I have just had a few people comment at dd and it had got me thinking.

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SlartyBartFast · 10/08/2008 11:36

can she sit down and watch a dvd?

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:38

We are in a rented house while we are waiting to buy which is why I mentioned the grass.

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Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 10/08/2008 11:42

She does watch DVDs but will struggle to watch a whole one without jumping about or bursting into song and dance. She also likes to watch them while hanging upside down as a bat.

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SlartyBartFast · 10/08/2008 11:44

mine loves high school musical, but only if we are not there, so she can join in the singing and whatever

ThatBigGermanPrison · 10/08/2008 11:44

Take her out. Run her ragged for two hours. see iof that helps. It sometimes helps mine.