I have a 7-year-old son. We came back from holiday last week, and over the last two days his behaviour has been particularly difficult.
He can become extremely upset over what seems like a minor issue, and when this happens he starts lashing out by trashing rooms, throwing things, hitting, smacking and biting. Recently, I had to sit him on my knee and hold him for around 20 minutes because he was repeatedly trying to bite me.
For example, while we were on holiday, I told him he couldn't have a pancake because it could only be purchased using the holiday wristband, which no longer had any money on it. I offered alternatives such as sweets or an ice cream from the shop, but he became very angry, started kicking the sunbeds and threw towels on the floor.
Today, he became upset because I told him it would be bedtime in an hour and a half. He responded by throwing items all around my room, and these outbursts can continue for well over an hour at a time.
I do set consequences for his behaviour. I take away his iPad, limit him to watching Netflix, and sometimes remove his football-related activities or items, as football is something he loves. What I find difficult is that this behaviour seems to come in phases. He can be very well behaved for weeks at a time, and then suddenly these intense tantrums start again, often over very small things. After a few weeks, he will settle down and return to being well behaved for a period.
At school, he is reported to behave well, and people are often surprised when I describe how he behaves at home. The behaviour is mainly directed towards me, his dad, and h
is sister.