Emotional 5yo boy

[itschillyupnorth]

Just looking for some ideas or reassurance...

My 5yo son is really emotional and often gets angry or upset at the slightest thing. Often he'll say things like "I want to be on my own!" seemingly out of the blue. Or he'll be shouting or crying about small things.

We have a stable family home life and his preschool seems to be fine, he likes going. We spend lots of time playing with him and try to help him recognise and express his emotions. We don't punish him for having emotional outbursts instead we try to label how he's feeling and comfort him if he will accept it although often he can be really rude.

We can't figure out if this is normal for his age and what could be causing it... it's like we've done something wrong but we don't think we have?!

No similar experiences?

Maybe he likes his own company and wants downtime - that’s what he’s asking for!

@itschillyupnorth have u mentioned to school ? Do they see any sign of adhd or autisum maybe x

I’ve got an emotional/temperamental 5yo boy... Emotions change like the weather. Furious temper and can be laughing his head off seconds later. Some of his catchphrases are:

• “I just need some space, alright mum?”
• “stop saying words to me!” (If he’s being chastised)
• “it’s just all too much! I’ve got too many emotions inside!” (When he’s feeling overhelemed)

I have no advice..... maybe.... just.... Hear him. Create and hold boundaries and safe spaces. Don’t let empathy on your part, become acceptance of poor behaviour. I try to do all of these. Manage it most of the time. Get it wrong many times.

Both my sons father and I (separated) are naturally emotional characters in our own way, (though interestingly we’re both much MUCH calmer/steadier since we had DS) so I’m just accepting it as karmic payback for the both of us 😅

I have a sometimes similar 5yr old though he seems to be growing out of it slowly. I hear lots from friends that 5 is a common age for emotional outbursts so I'm sure it's not just us

Even though it can be common my son did all these things age 3 upwards and has now had his diagnosis that why if school see any signs then that's the path you have to go.down zlxx

Ok thanks everyone. He doesn't have ASD but possibly ADHD, so it could be that. I suppose he's always been a bit like this but just seems to be worse now he expresses himself aggressively rather than having a basic tantrum. Of course I do leave him alone if that's what he wants but obviously I am worried about why he seems so unhappy.

If there's no obvious nd concerns I'd just continue listening and giving him space when he needs it. It's fantastic that he can tell you what he needs.

Is he doing it at school ? If so, what do they say ?