My 6 year old is hyper actice ALWAYS.

Karen - posted on 02/19/2010

Hello I have a 6 year old that has the samew issue and it is hard to deal with.My name is Karen and I am a mom with 8 kids.they range from age 17 -3 years old.I stay very busy with them.Well about my 6 years old I had her tested and they told me it was more can you belive that crazy as it is.My daugther says she hates me and to everyone she beats up on the family dog and her sibblings what can I do nothing but understand she has a disability and work thru it is what I have always been told.I hope you can get more from other moms but I just seen your post and had to comment on it.I can try to help you like im doing myself if you like for me too.Thanks Karen

Alicia - posted on 02/19/2010

Don't feel bad or helpless, it's not just boys, I have a 6 going on 7yr old daughter and she is the same exact way, well we put her in cheerleading/gymnastics and even though it's only once a wk it helps her burn out some of that energy and that also motivates her to want behave and listen so she doesn't lose the privelege of going to her next class, now I'm looking for more activities to sign her up for...maybe he just needs more activity that he's interested in.

Rhonda - posted on 02/19/2010

Take him in for an allergy test, especially wheat or milk products, food dyes...thats the most common. There are so many chemicals/additives they put in food now a days its scary!

Kate - posted on 02/19/2010

It is nice to hear other moms with a similar situation to me - sometimes you feel like you're the only one with an overactive 6 year old! My son has been active from the word go and he doesn't slow down when he gets tired, he goes and goes until he "hits the wall". I used to get so exasperated with him (and still do, sometimes!) until I looked at his behavior in a different way - that much of the time it wasn't him trying to be naughty, instead he just finds it difficult to calm himself down.

I do worry a bit because his overactiveness is affecting his schoolwork a bit but his teacher doesn't seem overly concerned as long as it doesn't get worse. I have been thinking of seeing a counselor or someone to help me deal with this in a positive way so my son and I come out of this feeling good rather than negative.

Lisa - posted on 02/18/2010

Also if you breakdown the things that you want him to do into smaller steps. it does help like when you tell him to clean his room. tell him to pick up clothes, then toys, then books and then make bed. it is easier. and take him by his hand and stand over hi if you have to. It takes a little more time and time comsuming but it is easier on the nerves. Give choices such as do you want to pick up clothes first or books first. this gives them some power and it get done also. This also helps, if you use first and then statements such as first you need to brush your teeth then you get to play with your toys and stick with it.

Clare - posted on 02/18/2010

Thank you all, ladies! I am in exactly the same place with my six year old, and although people try to tell me "it's a boy thing!" and "he'll grow out of it!", none of that helps when all you get is negative attitude and energy. I try to keep positive, and ask for something in a different way (rather than "Give me the remote control!", I say "Have you seen the remote control anywhere? I can't find it!") - he then feels really big and clever, and that he's "helping".

Have a meeting with Ed. Pysch. next week as school are so concerned, but think that on the whole he's just "pushing the boundaries" to get a response!

Good luck to everyone!

Samantha - posted on 02/18/2010

Cut the sugar, and try a diet of organic foods. If you can't afford to go totally organic, pay attention to labels. I know with my son, when I cut the sugar, artificial colors, and preservatives, it did help. I also got him to take along with his multi-vitamins, fish oil pills. (Nordic Naturals makes children's DHA, it's 100% Cod Liver Oil, it's strawberry flavored so it doesn't taste gross, & it helps promote brain development & visual function.) Also when it comes to listening, be consistent, and be a woman of your word. At that age, I did lots of time outs, took away the things that mattered - for my son it was video games, and legos. If something doesn't seem like it's working, hang in there & do it over, & over. It will work. Kids that age are totally testing their limits, you let them get away with it, they'll just continue to do what they want. Be strong and stand your ground!

Cheryl - posted on 02/18/2010

sounds like a combination of odd an add much like my daughter. odd is opposition defiant disorder and these kids are programmed to do just that do the opposite of what you tell them and there isn't much you can do but have patients. unfortunately schools don't test for odd or add till second grade. find a neurologist and get him tested. there are medications that can help with the add. also in the mean time try a reward system. if your good you get so many stickers on your chart we can go do something fun. good luck and god bless

Kymmie - posted on 02/18/2010

Alot of times it has to do with diet and sleep activity. I have a 7 year old who is full of energy. I found myself finding after school activity to brun most of his energy. Now the only time i truly see this problem is on the weekends.

Nichole - posted on 02/17/2010

I don't want to be the one to throw the ADHD pill down ANYONES throat, but having a child with the condition, I have to ask if he is acting this way in school or having trouble in class. Not that you need to go out and start looking at medicating your child (I'm doing it but against it at the same time, however it is helping my son tons) but maybe you could take advantage of behavioral therapy. I had to do this first to see if maybe there were skills we were lacking as child/mother. It helped us both out for the better. I know now how to deal with the back talk, arguing, not wanting to clean his room, not wanting to get dressed in the morning, etc. I learned things about the way I was handling situations that I never realized before, and he learned new ways to cope with his emotions and actions and the importance of listening to me. We did this for almost a year when we realized it was not enough to help him with his focus in school, which they did try to help correct by other means, and that he did need some type of medication to help him focus. I'm not saying that it is my opinion of what is going on in your case, it just sounds to me like normal boyish behavior, but if you take the suggestions and they do not work for you, perhaps one on one with a counselor might.

Vandna - posted on 02/17/2010

Yeah, the best way to handle these type of kids, is to channelize their energies. A bit difficult but this will help them to stay engrossed and not get irritated with the free time. They can join classes - swimming, learning some instrument or drawing, whatever they find interest in. This way the child is busy and learns something new and get engrossed in a hobby. and the mothers' worries are also over. This will also lead to self-satisfaction in the kid.....

Rachel - posted on 02/17/2010

Dear Ladies,
Thank you all so much for your advice. I am trying it out and I will let everyone know how it goes down the road. You are all smart, thoughtful & caring moms who are just the best. Thank you all and take care of yourselves and our little ones.

Lisa - posted on 02/17/2010

I have a six year old boy too, some days I'm at the end of my rope. but i'm learning to manage it i try to look at it from different angles. Is he getting on my nerves because i'm stressed or is it really him. I take a breather, then get him involved in something else sometimes i have to make it a race to get his attention. Other days just sitting down and playing a board game with him or reading a book. I just got the wii game "sports resort" it helps him burn off some energy when we can't get out of the house.

Amber - posted on 02/17/2010

Hi Rachel,

I hope you've gotten some ease out of the situation already. It sounds like your son is bored, and fighting for attention. He's understimulatd,and probably feeling a little left out of things. Wether its at home or school.

Also, consider his food consumption a factor. Is he eating sugar on an empty stomach. is he gettting enough protein.?

Also, if he's a spirited kid, that's great. Find great activities to enage his body. Running, jumping, climbing.. anything to get his body moving. Consider a gym for kids class at the local YMCA, or swimming lessons. It sounds like he's got great energy, and enthusiasm, and no where to use it :)

Charliene - posted on 02/17/2010

my sone to be 5 year old son is the same way. it used to drive me nuts until I started giving him things to do and makeing it a game like giving him a wash cloth and telling him I bet I can wash more things then you. and it worked that is his favoirt thing to do now. do the same thing with his toys in his room it really works it makes him feel important like he is a big boy. all you can do is try it I hope it helps you out

AnnaLisa - posted on 02/17/2010

Amanda, your words made me feel better today. I am in the exact place that Rachel is Im in the same situation with my son..! My Luca is also six years old. But he defiance goes beyond me; he doesn't listen to anyone and gets in a whole lot of trouble at school. It's affecting his learning and that is really frightening me! Thanks for your post, I'm going to do my best to be more positive and do the things you mentioned. AnnaLisa

Joyce - posted on 02/17/2010

Hi,
There are many reasons behind the hyperactivity of the school aged, i checked many references myself to understand the actions of my 6 year old son....this website would be helpful to know whats going to with your kid http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-child-i...
regards,

Rachel - posted on 02/16/2010

Thank you so much Natalie, your experience and thoughts are very helpful. I appreciate all your girls help. Thank you. And if i find anything that works wonders I will definitely let you know. Thank you.

Natalie - posted on 02/16/2010

Hello, I have a 6 year old boy who sounds very similar to yours, And he wears me down too. So what I have been doing (which dosent always work because it depends on alot of things eg if tierd or getting sick) But I find getting him to draw pitcures helps, thinking games eg kids playing cards, box games or destracting him of the problem he is having, eg making something else sound really exciting. Also taking him to the park to help burn of some of his energy!! And the last solution for me is ringing my sister and crying can you please have him for the night!!!!!!! Good Luck And if you hear of any other helpful tips I would love to hear them, because my sister says no sometimes!!!!!!

Rachel - posted on 02/16/2010

Thanks so much Amanda. It is nice to hear from someone who knows what they are talking about and who experiences some of the same things you do. Thanks for the advice girl, I am going to work on it.

Amanda - posted on 02/16/2010

hey hun, jaedon is a beautiful boy and yes he has an amazing energy. cameron is the same way. There is nothing wrong he he is a normal boy, (boys are very hyper and dont sit) just give him lots of affirmation and quality time and i bet ull notice a difference! i know having active men in the house can be overwhelming (believe me i know) but they are created that way to help them in life later, so we moms need to learn how to foster that and not extinguish it! K! just enjoy him, give him little jobs around the house (heavy work!! shovel,lifting,push ups, carrying laundry baskets,even if its carrying soda bottles to and fro no no real reason!) boys also like to know they can help their mom and they feel so proud! if they get encouragement from their mom instead of anger and frustration u will put him on a successful path in life! i love him much! and guess what all children can become defiant for many reasons, just continue to show him stability hun and love, "tyrain a child in the way he should go and when he grows old he shall not depart from it!" amanda