I have a wild DS (aged 4)! Any tips or parenting book recommendations?

[Bovneydazzlers]

Can anyone recommend a good parenting book? I think I need to review my approach to how we are parenting DS as his behaviour can be challenging at times. I've got 2 toddler children, the elder one is hard work at mo!
He is a fab boy, he makes (and keeps) friends so easily and plays great with others (unless he loses the game...). He is funny, can be kind, articulate and inquisitive when he wants.

But when he gets hyper (often) I just can't calm him down, bopping younger DD (usually a tap while he runs past him wildly or generally not being gentle), shouting, laughing if told off, being generally silly, loud, not listening. He hates colouring/writing/crafts so a little worried about an aversion to this when he starts school. He's bright though and good with letters and maths when I can get him to concentrate for long enough.

I know so much of this is normal 4 y.o behaviour and I'm hoping school will calm him down, but also worried about example to younger sibling and I think I may not be handling it optimally. I dread supermarkets etc as he just acts wild.

Any good books/tips for ways to handle this?

You have described my son! I read a book called 'raising your spirited child' (or similar). It was interesting, but in the last month DS has settled a bit. Now concentrating on colouring , lego a little more and is generally a little less 'full on' all the time.

What are the consequences for the 'bopping ' etc?

Calmer, Happier, Easier Boys by Noel Janis-Norton has worked brilliantly for us.

Monkey I saw that book on amazon and was wavering, I'll try that one, thanks.

Lego is pretty much the one thing he'll concentrate on for ages by himself, loves the stuff.

Consequences... we do time outs, set a timer on my phone. I probably could be more consistent though.

This could have been my middle DS, he is calming now at 6.5, sounds exactly the same.

I'll note too I'm in two minds whether to go for gender specific parenting books (not sure I believe in a 'boy' brain etc.... but my DS is basically shows the absolute stereotypical boy behaviour so I'd have guessed that some of the 'boy' focussed books will potentially focus more on his particular issues.

My DS 7 was like that. He has always needed, and still needs, a good run outside or some kind of stimulating activity to use up his mental and physical energy. We ensure at least 30min of proper, active outside play every single day and restrict tech to a short period in the early evening (before the evening meal).

To calm and discipline him -
From an early age we have calmly and firmly removed him from the situation (sometimes carrying him!) and taken him to a quiet place to have a conversation about what he was doing (he often had no idea he was being too loud/fast/physical) and why it is unacceptable. After a period of quiet chatting we always turn to a positive subject (it will be time for dessert when we go back in/his friends are waiting etc) and he is invariably better upon returning.

It's bloody hard work. Good luck

Is there any connection between his behaviour and what and when he is eating?