My six-year-old son has turned into a nightmare child

DEAR DEIDRE: MY gorgeous six-year-old son has turned into a complete nightmare over the last year and I’m really struggling to deal with him.

These days he never listens and it’s rare that we ever get to spend any time together without him acting out. 

I can’t understand where this has come from and I’m at a loss of what to do.

I’m 40, my wife is 38 and we also have a daughter who is nine.

Minus the odd tantrum, he had always been a happy and polite child.

However, now most days he wakes up moody and is constantly doing everything he can to misbehave.

Whether it’s fighting with his sister, hitting his mother, or throwing food at the table, he never wants to as he’s told. 

Every time we leave the house he causes a scene, screaming, shouting, and making faces at strangers. 

He constantly talks back or ignores us when we try to tell him off.

At this point, we’ve tried everything. Setting limits, giving consequences, trying to speak to him calmly, and giving time outs, yet nothing seems to work and we get the same outcome.

Every day feels like an uphill battle and it’s really starting to wear us down.

It’s beginning to impact our relationship and we’re at a loss of what to do.

DEIDRE SAYS: Very often children will start acting out when there are changes in their home or school life.

If you haven’t already it would be worth talking to his school about this to see if there’s any route to this issue. It’s possible he may be having issues with other children that are unresolved. 

Outbursts can also occur for a number of reasons including being tired, hungry, frustrated, or overstimulated.  

Usually, persistent bad behaviour is deeper routed than it may seem, so try not to blame him.

If this continues, do talk to your doctor about this.

You can also seek support from Young Minds (youngminds.org.uk, 0808 802 5544).