5 yo angst

inmom2two wrote: I need some help. I have a 5 yo boy who acts like he's 15. Everything is awful, nothing is fun (even if he just finished laughing about it), the world is boring, etc. We've been dealing with this since about September and I don't know what to do. If he really thought things weren't fun, I'd understand, but he says he doesn't like things that I know he loves. I've tried taking away the "boring" activities. I've tried telling him that he has to tell the truth. I've tried ignoring it. I'm at my wit's end with it. His grandparents think I'm insane when I tell them he loves something, but when he's asked says "not really". Help! Any ideas????

my2monkeyboys replied: I'm sorry, I really don't have any advice, just

luvmykids replied: No advice, but I've gone through that off and on with my just turned five daughter for about a year. She acts, like you said, 15.....everything is very dramatic and exaggerated.... she neeeever gets to do this or that, why do we aaaaalways have to go here or there....the sighs, eye rolling, etc. She's worse than I ever was as a teen. Everything is boring, everything is an inconvenience to her.....

I basically just ignore it and she stops for awhile but I have a feeling it's not over.

Boo&BugsMom replied: IS he bored? I mean, perhaps he needs to be challenged with things. ??? Even if he use to love something, usually our preferences change over time, esp. kids. Find areas that he excells in and challenge him, be it math, reading, etc. That's all I can think of. Sorry I can't be more help.

inmom2two replied: Thanks everyone. Sometimes he really is bored, so we step up what we are doing. I'm glad that it's not just him, but I'm sorry for everyone else who goes through it
I talked to my Aunt about this and she pointed out that he's at a hard place right now. 5 isn't quite a "big" kid but he's too old for the "baby" things. Since he's getting attention for being a dramaking, that may also be why he's doing this. Hopefully, this too shall pass (my mantra for the last 3 years )

mom21kid2dogs replied: We have the "bored" list at our house. (I've also see it done with slips of paper in jar) If it's drama boredom (different than real boredom), we pick something off the "bored" list to do~sweep the floor, sort the laundry, clean windows, clean out the toy box, etc. Amazing how the mere suggestion of boredom can disappear in an instance with these "boredom busters"!!

moped replied:
Oh that is clever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gr33n3y3z replied:
That is a great idea

inmom2two replied: Oh, he knows better than to say that he's bored. We have a bored list too. It's more like someone will ask him how hockey was (something that he adores when he plays) and he'll say "it was boring" or "I don't like it so much". But, when I mention that he can just stop playing, he'll cry no, I loooooovvve it. I hope it's just a phase.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I would continue to ignore him or tell him if he is really bored there are dishes that need to be washed, vaccumming that needs to be done,!

mom21kid2dogs replied:
O did that one time re: soccer. My reply was "Gee honey, I'm kinda relieved to hear that. As much as I love to watch you play soccer, it sure takes alot of time out of my day. Since it's boring, we'll just use that time for other stuff." I got an immediate "No, mommy, no!" (tears, drama, etc to follow as well) We then had a discussion about the power of words and meaning what you say. She's never done it again.

Sometimes I think they just don't know what to say(especially if someone catches them off guard with a question) so they just say the first thing that pops into their heads, goofy kids!

MommyToAshley replied:
Oh how clever!!! I will have to remember that when we hit this stage. Although, the only time Ashley says "boring" is when she IS referring to cleaning. I will ask her to clean her room and she will say, "Mom cleaning is boring"

inmom2two replied:
Ooh, I'll have to try that. Thanks.