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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

7 year old party behaviour

17 replies

SingleMum01 · 02/03/2010 21:14

I was at a party with my 7 year old, all the children were joining in playing the games apart from one child. For example, when they were sat doing pass the parcel, he was running round the outside of the circle. When they were doing farmers in the den and were all linked hands in a circle he ran in the middle uninvited with the farmer. Spent some time chasing a girl hitting her on the head with a teddy. Ignored the party hosts calls to come into the party room and lots more.

Does this sound like 7 year old behaviour?

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CaitlinMeringue · 02/03/2010 21:16

yes indeed it does

are you hefting your Judgy Mummy bosoms perchance?

Hulababy · 02/03/2010 21:20

I wouldn't say it was how most 7y behave. However there is often at least one or two in each class or at each paty, etc. that does behave like it.

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 02/03/2010 21:24

Caitlinmeringue - if only I had hefty bosums to heft!

Thanks for your opinions.

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MarineIguana · 02/03/2010 21:24

My DS doesn't want to join in with the games at parties (he's nearly 5) - he wouldn't do all this though, he'd just want to sit with me until the food part started (Unless it's some themed activity he loves eg to do with science or fossils - but that's unusual)

It does occur to me that when I was little there was no question that you just had to do the games, even though I actually hated them (found them really embarrassing and hated people looking at me as I was shy). This doesn't happen now. I've seen lots of kids refusing to join in and I can't complain as DS is the same.

This child does sound annoying though. I might try to get a parent to stay with him if he was coming to a party at mine.

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 02/03/2010 21:28

I got the impression it wasn't that he was a shy child (my DS is shy and when he was younger wouldn't always want to join it - but he wouldn't make a fuss about it, would just sit quietly with me) more that he didn't want to join in 'cos he wasn't the centre of attention, he didn't seem to have any social skills.

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Clary · 02/03/2010 21:30

I have often had a child at a biggish party who doesn't want to join in.

It's not at all unusual. At DD's party from hell reception class party, there wasone little lad spent the entire time doing a colouring sheet (part of the craft). I was actually relieved - he was the least trouble!

I know that's not the kind of behaviour you witnessed OP but what I'm saying is that kids react differently. Some really don't dig the whole party vibe.

More interestingly, why were you at a party with yr 7yo? I would soooo not be allowed.

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 02/03/2010 21:36

It wasn't worth going anywhere as it wasn't in my town! Plus I'm friends with the mum!

Just thought at age 7, kids have more social skills and know what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. I know they get over excited at parties but it seemed more than just that.

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hmc · 02/03/2010 21:36

It's fine not to want to join in - but he sounds disruptive, and no it isn't standard behaviour for a 7 year old (it's naughtier than the norm)

Bigpants1 · 02/03/2010 22:29

Its possible that this child was over-excited by the party, but, as a parent of, and someone who is around ADHD dc a lot, this sounds like behaviour that goes along with this condition. These dc generally have immature social skills and are easily over-aroused, and yes, given the chance, would rather run round the party venue, than join in party games.

hana · 02/03/2010 22:31

7 year olds still play farmer in the den?
I wouldn't have wanted to play that either at that age!

2old4thislark · 02/03/2010 22:49

Sorry kid sounds weird. I can understand not joining in with games if shy but this sounds like disruptive or attention seeking behaviour. AND I have a lot of experience of parties!

Usually by age 7 children want to fit in with the crowd. Sounds like some sort of behavourial problems to me. I mean. Age 7 and hitting a child on the head with a teddy????

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 03/03/2010 14:13

Bigpants1 - I have wondered for a while if that is the issue, but don't know much about it. Ive also witnessed him gettin very angry very quickly, almost as if a switch is flicked if you know what I mean.

I'm not saying my DS is perfect but he knows what is socially acceptable and right from wrong, ie, no hitting etc, especially without any provocation.

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2old4thislark · 03/03/2010 15:45

Very Angry, very quickly, combined with the above behaviour describes a child I know hwo has Dyspraxia. This child at age 8 would throw toddler tantrums. Only then did his mum realise that maybe something wasn't quite right.....

Original poster

SingleMum01 · 03/03/2010 19:51

2old4thislark - that's exactly what its like - he has tantrums when he doesn't get his own way. At my DS' 7th disco party he started kicking the door 'cos he didn't win musical statues.

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2old4thislark · 03/03/2010 22:59

Google the symptoms for dyspraxia!

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 03/03/2010 23:07

My son used to be like this at parties, he gets 'excitable' if there is too much noise, I hated parties, I would explain to the parents that he does get rather energetic and I would stay with him to supervise. Sooo stressful! He's calmed down alot over the past couple of years, he's like a different child. Some children are just like this, they get so excited that they need someone to supervise them and encourage them to calm down. I bet the poor lad doesn't get invited to alot

Ispy · 04/03/2010 02:02

What an odd thread OP. You obviously know it's not normal behaviour so why post? I don't get it?

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