Is Year 4 when hormones start kicking in?

[SerialStudent]

My gorgeous DS(8) is very tearful tonight. Clearly tired and overloaded with school. But big boy things are cropping up - the way he has to dress for mufti day at school (to get the cool look), asking to switch from an airline car seat to a booster and a very very tearful end to the day.

Seems to be loads of peer pressure at the moment - lots of teasing and the need to totally fit in where the obvious football crowd isn't his thing and he is teased for it. The list could go on. ;-(

My boy is growing up - we are entering the next phase.

Any tips from parents who have been through the year 4 angst would be great fully received.

Thanks.

Yes, some boys do start the hormones in yr4.

At home - lots of hugs and early nights. Give him understanding and listening.

At school - report the teasing to the teachers. That MUST be stamped on, especially as it's Anti-Bullying Week at the mo! No-one should ever feel pressured to look or act a certain way.

Together - yes you can do some things to help him 'fit in', but he still needs to be himself. My yr5 son recently started playing Minecraft, initially more to fit in than because he was interested. He has found that he really enjoys it, so it's been a win. He can't make himself interested in footie though. Teachers should celebrate difference and independence - I certainly do in my class.

Thank you Racnoss.

I am not sure it's hormones, but Y4 was difficult for my DS. Since he was 7 yo he has been acutely aware of how he appears to others, eg he's skinny and wouldn't wear a puffy coat as "it makes me look fat".

In Y4 there was a lot of jostling for position, and groups of cool kids emerging. A simple thing like a haircut could be social suicide.

It has amazed me how much more self conscious and aware my DS is compared to my DD. I think he always will be, it's part of his character, but am pleased to say things seem to have calmed down more in Y5, partly helped by him being in a class this year with only 3 other boys from his year.

I do help him to try to fit in, up to a point. The latest football trainers he buys from his own money, I won't allow shooting games on XBox, etc. but equally I wouldn't force him to wear something he didn't like (ALL clothes shopping even socks! have to be sanctioned by him first, not wasting any more money...).

This is very interesting because my Y4 boy is really hard work at the moment. Very over-emotional, prone to teenage-style strops, has an answer for everything, is hyper aware of how everyone else is doing compared to him and thinking he's no good (he's fine), and is also struggling a bit with not being a footballing kind of boy. He's got a huge amount of emotional intelligence and is liked by everyone but seems to be having a hard time working out where he fits in, since almost all the boys just play football every break. I know he'll be fine because he's funny and articulate and thoughtful, but it could be a long and bumpy journey to that point...