Does anyone else have an emotional, tearful, constantly worried 9 year old boy? Worries me........

[mooseloose]

He is a lovely sweet little boy, very cuddly and loving. But is very emotional all the time lately.

He is a home bird, very chatty to his friends, a bit eccentric, does well (ok+) at school, and loves nature.

But he is sooooo emotional and overwhelmed by things. He worries about things going on at school, and escalates them, although it's nothing drastic really. He cries a lot over silly things, hates losing, getting out at games, and gets upset if I rush him. He was in a right sulk bowling today because he wasn't doing very well, and rolling about on the floor.He can be quite loud, for example would run into his church youth group shrieking and making daft noises, while I cringe!

I'm just worried he isn't very 'stable' for want of a better word, not coping very well with life. But i don't know what to do about it. He doesn't seem very streetwise for 9. Anyone else got one at home like this?

This sounds exactly like my nearly 8 year old. I worry too...but am putting somethings down to personality, others immaturity and some down to boundary testing.

He has blinky eyes too at the moment....

I dont understand how a 9 yo can be stressed!

I am not going to be a great help-but just to reassure you-I supply teach and come across a lot of DCs and it is very common; he is not alone. He sounds very similar to my nephew. I would just carry on giving him security at home and don't stress about it because it will get through to him. My middle DS was like it in some ways. He was a 'home bird' and couldn't do sleepovers. I just used to collect him, when phoned, and never made anything of it and eventualy he took it all in his stride.

Thanks Piscesmoon, it is very helpful! I have got to the point wondering if he should see someone (no idea who!). He gets so upset over the silliest things.

He broke his arm badley last year and had a couple of ops. Am even wondering if something to do with this? But he doesn't even mention his arm at all now. But saying that, he has had blinky eyes, and a twitchy neck on and off for about the last three years!

I am about to go to bed and then am away for a few days so will be switching off. Just a last thought before I do-have you been into school and discussed it with his teacher? See if they come up with any strategies or refer him to the school nurse in the first instance. I think that it is best not to force these things but just let them mature at their own pace. I just mentioned the teacher as a way of getting a second opinion.

Hmm, shounds exactly like my 7 year old nephew, he is just too het up with things, if he loses a play game, he goes mental, crying and throwing a fit, same if you mention that his footie team, Chelsea, has lost a match - he's just too um, sensitive? I think eh will grown out of it, I am hoping it's a phase too, though his mum does tend to protect them alot, ie not let them take safe risks. I have no idea if it's a contributing factor, - making a fuss if he's fallen down etc , or what, but he's definately 'sensitive' too. Wonder if the twitchy neck needs to be seen by say an osteopath? It really helped my neighbours boy..

Hiya moose!

Sounds like you've got a sensitive boy there I'm sure he will grow out of it.Just be straightforward with him and give him his space to develop out of it in his own time.

Maybe he has strong feelings he hasn't learned to process yet.

Blinking can be a common minor tic in young children ~ they usually settle after a few weeks but if it gets very pronounced or he has lots of other tics see gp to discuss it.

Just wanted to add,moose, that how they are at this age is only a part of who they are later on.My big ds was sensitive etc when younger but this has translated into being a very thoughtful creative and intelligent young man now ~ we've just celebrated his 18th!
< sorry for the immodesty but I am quite proud !!>

My 8 yo seems to be going through a similar stage at the moment. She (tis a dd rather than a ds) has only recently begun to behave this way and I posted on this a week or so ago.

Most people said it's common.

I know it doesn't help, but I'm sure your DS will be fine and will grow up into a fine young man.

Hi, thanks for all your comments (thanks MS - fancy seeing you on here!). I just worry cos he seems so different from the other savvy 9 year olds in his class. My 14 yo was never like this, and my 7 yo is very different to him too.

I have taken him to opticians before with his big blinking, rolling eyes before, but his eyesight is just fine. I think this is the third 'bout' that I can recall. He has also had a twitch on his neck which he had to work hard on to stop, like dipping it to the side. The last time his eyes were bad he said he had to try hard to stop doing it........ ho hum.

Hi, thanks for all your comments (thanks MS - fancy seeing you on here!). I just worry cos he seems so different from the other savvy 9 year olds in his class. My 14 yo was never like this, and my 7 yo is very different to him too.

I have taken him to opticians before with his big blinking, rolling eyes before, but his eyesight is just fine. I think this is the third 'bout' that I can recall. He has also had a twitch on his neck which he had to work hard on to stop, like dipping it to the side. The last time his eyes were bad he said he had to try hard to stop doing it........ ho hum.