Keeping patience with DS4

[georgarina]

He is a lovely boy.

But has SO MUCH energy.

He runs around like a maniac and knocks things over, falls down, trips, constantly.

I'll try to give him a hug or kiss and he'll headbutt me in his enthusiasm. He'll stand up quickly and knock his bowl of cereal over (and will then feel guilty and try to clean it up).

It makes it very difficult for me to be patient with him, even though I know he is good and means well. He tries to avoid telling me what's happened, or he says sorry, and it breaks my heart and makes me feel like I shouldn't get cross! But it's so hard not to!

Any tips on how to take a deep breath and be patient with an overactive 4yo?

Has he been tested for any additional needs? Being extremely hyperactive can be a sign of ADHD so just thought I'd put it out there. Have you tried explaining to him that you need him to calm down etc, does he ever listen to it or do you feel it's something he can't control?

Thanks, he hasn't been tested - he's fine at nursery and they have said his attention span is improving and he's doing well. And he's fine sitting down for an activity, playing nicely with friends etc. It's just that when we're at home he's like a bull in a china shop and always in motion. He's able to control it a bit if I tell him specifically to be careful and stop running around but it's constant.

This sounds normal to me? My DD is nearly 4 and the same. I really try to 'pause' in my head before I speak to sort of mentally take a deep breath when she knocks something over and makes a huge mess or hurts herself doing something daft etc. Because she's just playing and she's only little and she doesn't have the foresight or impulse control that I have. Plus I have vivid memories of being little and doing innocuous things like accidentally spilling my drink of juice and my DM (who I have a good relationship with) getting really irritated and snapping at me and how rubbish and unfair it made me feel when it was just an accident. My DD also sometimes gets upset or worried and will apologise, I say "don't worry, it was only an accident" a million times a day! I'm quite a cautious and tidy person so it is hard for me too but I don't want her to be overly worried so pause to check myself before I respond.