Constantly Loud 7 Year Old

When my dd was loud,
I would whisper and make her whisper too. I don't know if it did any good in the long run, but things got really quiet at least for a while.

Take your son to an audiologist and have his hearing tested. He might be losing his hearing.

Then talk with your pediatrician and ask for a referral to a ADHD specialist to get his tested to see what his rating is.

Does he behave this way in school as well? Or just at home?

How is his day structured? Do you have any structure to his day or just wing it?

Good luck!

the important information lacking in this post is whether or not this is a new behavior or an ongoing issue.

i don't know how you silence a non-stop chatterbox, but the volume issue, if new, sounds very much like something's going on in his ears.

both my boys had recurring ear infections and needed a smorgasbord of treatments. i always knew when they were building up fluid because they would get louder and louder.

start with a hearing test.
khairete
S.

Has his hearing been tested?
Teach him to sing.
He might grow up to sing opera.

In order to have conversations - listening is as important as talking.
He needs to learn when to listen.
Reading together might help.
You read one page out loud and he reads the next page out loud.
He'll learn to take turns at it and wait his turn to do it.

It almost sounds like for your son, vocalizing is his method of "stimming", or self-stimulating. If he truly CANNOT stop, this may be a possibility. Stimming is normally associated with persons on the autism spectrum, but not always... if this behavior is an issue at school and other places, you may look into some profesional help to find him a more socially acceptable form of stimming. If this is only occurring in the home, it's a discipline issue, and you'll need to find a different way of dealing with appropriate boundaries. Possibly have him write his early morning thoughts in a journal and you write back or talk once you've had your coffee, woken up.

Oh, I feel your pain. I have one of these. I think it's worse now than when he was younger, because now that he's in school where he gets in trouble for talking out of turn, all the restraint he shows all day comes bursting out when he gets home. Other than repeating "inside voice" about 200 times per day, we let it go. I really think it's just his exuberant little kid personality, and that when he's a teen I'll probably wish I could get him to talk more.

I really believe it's a phase, try to roll with it as much as you possibly can.

ETA: The one thing I don't roll with is early morning questions. I'm just not a morning person and I don't want to lose my temper with him due to my early morning grouchy-ness. We have a rule that he can play electronics in the morning until breakfast is ready. He still talks - he talks to the game he's playing (OH NOOOOO (when his character dies in SuperMario, etc)) - but it gives me a break in the morning until I'm ready to face the world.

I'm curious, does he act like this at school? Have you met with his teacher? People who work in education often have great advice.
If he's fine at school but going wild at home it might help to ask your pediatrician for a referral to a family therapist, someone to help you with your parenting skills.
I'm not in any way suggesting that you are a bad parent, but maybe you need some guidance in dealing with his big personality.

For dealing with mornings: make sure his mornings have plenty of structure. 7 is a fine age to have "morning chores". He should not leave his room until his bed is made. When he arrives in the kitchen he should fix himself breakfast from the options in the breakfast cabinet / on the kitchen counter / etc. Just cut down on his "morning free time" to get yourself a few more moments of peace.

As for the rest of the day: getting his energy out while putting away laundry (nice that he does that) or singing in the shower (funny) does not sound too bad! But if you think he possibly needs to be tested, bring him to a therapist.

I can relate to the child who natters away to themselves (and you if you allow it). Nothing wrong with having boundaries - I tell my kids they have my undivided attention for x amount of minutes, then it's mommy time. I have to do this otherwise I wouldn't have a minute to myself. I let them know it's nothing personal. I will say that I will check back in with them in (so many) minutes. By the time that time comes around, they have moved on and forgotten me. I'm guessing you have tried those kinds of methods. Some moms don't feel they can say 'no' to their kids expressing themselves - but you can (if you have problems with this). My friend feels really guilty about this - it's good to sometimes. A therapist friend of mine says it's essential kids know that you can say no, and it's ok. (Other people in life will say no or walk away from them, so better to learn from you first not to take it too personally).

As for the yelling - I have one who gets a bit wild. He has to go outside if he's like that. Even still (he's older) he gets wound up. It's not often, but outside he goes. "Go shoot some hoops" is our code for "You're LOUD".

As for singing in the shower, etc. I have one like that - the same one that talks a lot. This one has a ton of imagination. I think kids with imagination sometimes have to get all the ideas out. They just talk and talk - and then, oddly enough (at least with mine) they are quite at school. This baffled me, but apparently very typical with kids like this. They save it up for home. So see what the deal is with school. They need to get it all out somewhere.

As for the yelling etc. Two things - you could ask for a hearing test (just mention your concern to pediatrician). ADHD/ADD sometimes can result in kids being loud (I can think of two little kids we know who are like this, maybe 3..). I know an equal amount who aren't though - probably more who aren't. I don't want to alarm you. There are definite other behaviors there too - so only you know if that's something you should look into - that and the school.

Best to you - good luck :) I do think in a lot of cases, kids do outgrow some of this. There are definitely louder phases. Keep us posted.

This is a developmental stage. He'll come out of it before long.

My daughter is seven as well and hardly quiet. ever since i can remember if she wasn't talking, she was making some sort of noise with her mouth. She does several of the things you mentioned your son doing. She has high energy (always) especially in the winter. She is up for school at 6am with full energy and when she gets home at 6pm she has not done any winding down. Her diet is not perfect but clean for a child. No sugar drinks, no candy, limited processed foods. She takes all her vitamins as well. Its rare to see her sit still for even a meal at the table... My family is constantly having to tell her to simmer down.. BUT in school she is the complete opposite. well behaved, well mannered, straight A's. I've never had a complaint from a teacher or school staff in the 3 years she has been in school. When i tell them about her high activity at home they're usually shocked. How is your child in school? I worried before the start of kindergarten i would have troubles but i was wrong. Getting a professional opinion/testing for add/adhd could help rule things out. Also there are homeopathic children supplements to help w/ "focus" that do wonders for children. My daughter does amazingly well with structure/routine. Giving her, her own set of responsibilities (chores) has helped as well. I hope this helps!