Anyone Elses Kids Going Crazy Lately?

For us, this phenomenon is usually associated with a developmental spurt. Whenever I notice them being unusually feisty/ unruly/ wired, if I stop and think about it, I can see that they are mentally/emotionally ready for new challenges and responsibilities. Kids grow so fast, I notice this a couple times a year. Our answer is for me to slow down and think about how they are growing and what kinds of new challenges they are ready for. Such as, my 4 year old being ready to master folding her clothing and putting them away; she's ready for more autonomy; she's ready to participate in dance lessons and develop more permanent friendships; she wants me to acknowledge her big girl opinions; work on a new crft skill; etc. For my 8 year old, we have recently added things like being aware of less fortunate by donating to the local food bank; taking him on more challenging hikes, etc.

In fact, yesterday was rainy & kids were skittish,my friend and I took our kids bowling. for 3 of them it was a first experience. Granted these 5 kids ranged from 7 years - 13 years, so bowling is an appropriate and exciting activity for then. The other things we have done recently to dicipate the crazy energy is go for small hikes and adventures through the available parks and trails, take advantage of free events happening in the community, visits to the library, going for a neighborhood walk. Invite one of your friends along, so you have some adult time, even with the kids around.

Oh, making homemade playdough, letting them wash their play dishes in the kitchen sink, setting up a fort with blankets over chairs, parties with the stuffed animals, making paper chains of Fall or Halloween colors, collecting leaves on your walk and do an art project with them when you get home, fresh air does wonders to reset moods, imaginative activities that are out of the "norm" of your daily lives break up the monotany............

Have a great time!

Hi,

I'm not sure these activities will work for all three of your little ones but hopefully some will work or spark an idea...

-visit Childrens Museum in Boston
-visit Childrens Discovery Museum in Acton
-visit your local library
-visit New England Aquarium
-visit Franklin Park Zoo
-For the 3 and 5 year old....beading, legos, playdough, -painting, stamping, drawing
-spend time at a fun playground
-visit Drumlin Farm or another nearby farm
-make homemade instruments and use them
-bake cookies or muffins or bread together

Good luck! Have fun!

Oh my, my kids have been complete lunitics lately. Really hyper and talking back. I have no solutions for you but am happy that someone else is going through it also!! :) Hang in there, it will pass soon.

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about it but maybe there has been a little more pep in my daughters step lately. I would say its the weather changes. I remember when I was growing up on a ranch all the animals would get really jumpy, like the horses would run around and chase each other playing more, when we would get cold fronts moving through. I'm sure it's kinda the same thing. Mother Nature moves us in mysterious ways. I'll keep watching to see if anyone has any good activities answers because I need them too!

Yup - trade families. No, only joking - to a point. Most parents I know have said similar things. Yet when we watch other people's children they calm down a behave. I think part is the energy leading up to Halloween - but also part is once the kids know they've pushed our buttons over several days they can tell that parents are stressed and not reacting the way children are used to. So the kids get stressed, act out, want reassurance that parents will respond "normally" - and the cycle just keeps going. Yesterday I might have blown my fuse - except my neighbor was watching my son and he had his first sleep over. So I missed him terribly and yet had a nice break in the cycle.

Get outside and let the wild rumpus begin. Give them opportunity to release that energy in a "free range" environment. Throwing leaves at siblings, jumping in the pile - running through woods/park. One a good day - when my son acts up I let him know the behavior is not acceptable. But then I ask myself (often I just ask him) - what is it he needs. If he's jumping on my bed - that stops but a few minuted later I get out jumping toys (mini trampoline was the best thing I got for him). Squishing peas between the fingers at supper? Go for play dough, shaving cream on the table or other tactile game. ETC