Tips for DS5

[seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats]

Hi all. DS5 is starting school next week. He is the oldest in his year and I think academically ready having been at nursery school. His little sister just started nursery and we are expecting a new baby in November. So there are a lot of changes in his life. This last few weeks behaviourally have been rough. He has always been mild mannered, gentle, thoroughly pleasant. Now he hits his sister a lot, fights me and DH on every little thing. I feel he needs more from us attention wise as he is feeling at sea. But it is extremely intense. Wants to be talking to us CONSTANTLY, struggling to go to bed calling DH back alot in particular. We’ve had - I think - a good summer, lots of days out, focused family time and trips to park etc but no holiday. I try to “fill his cup”, set up activities to do with him and do one to one things with him.
My fear is this, once he gets to school and the exhaustion that comes with that transition, I’m anticipating behaviour to worsen further? How do I ride this storm? Any tips gratefully received! And also tips for prepping for new baby into the bargain 🙈

Anyone? 🥺

He maybe better at school when he is back into a routine. Some children find the holidays very unsettling and this can get worse over the summer as they start to worry about the new school year.

I’m afraid I have nothing new in to suggest in term of parenting. Give him ‘false options’ so are you going to wear your blue or red trainers? He thinks he has an option but really he still has to just put on his shoes. Explain what is happening for everything and remind of behaviour expectations. At 5 you can have quiet conversations a few hours after unwanted behaviour to ask him why he has done x, y and z and you maybe surprised by his answers and you can also reinforce how you expect him to behave.

The book how to talk so little children listen is really good.

Thanks so much @Whawillthefuturebring I was actually reading that book last night. It is excellent in reminding me to be more patient and think about the reasons for his behaviours. Some good tips there thank you. Hopefully you’re right and the structure of back to school will actually help him.