Hi all,
We've 2DC, DS is just 6, and DD just 4. DD generally very easy but we are continuing to struggle with DS.
Over the years we've sought advice from HV's, counsellors, for behaviour issues. Aspergers/HFA suggested but too young to tell and more likely just "hypersensitive".
Things are generally better as a trend than they were at age 4, but typically on a daily basis we have to contend with;
- early wake up calls when DS will selfishly demand we get up, shout, flail around in our room and usually wake his sister in the process.
- Demands over breakfast, type, etc. General impatience and overreaction to any discipline we try to instill in the morning routine.
- generally annoying and provocative to his sister. In her space, taunting, competition etc.
- generally disinterested in schoolwork (unless topic related in which he excels). Yet upset when his friends move up a reading level - we don't seem to be able to motivate him at all. Sometimes some handwriting goes ok at home if we engage him with a topic or something he's currently into.
- generally insolent attitude to things, unless we are doing what he wants and on his terms.
As we get to the end of the holidays this has tipped DH and I to boiling point and we've both shouted more than we would want to. We both feel tremendous guilt and hate coming down on DS so hard. I know his brain is still developing as is his emotional intelligence- but at what point/age do you have to start to come down on this kind of behaviour? Or how do we manage it more effectively? He is a really bright boy, very in touch with his feelings and usually those of others, but to his immediate family he frequently just shows us disdain.
One thing worth mentioning- DS seems to find discipline very hard to take, either laughing his way through any kind of intervention we stage (serious chat, time out type things), or shouting the house down himself (learned from us I'm sure).
School goes back tomorrow and I'm sure a lot of this has come from the over excitement of Christmas (birthday and lots of gifts at end November too), but we do need to nip it in the bud, he creates a lot of tension and angst at home.
Grateful for any advice- whether "normal" 6yo behaviour or other!