My 6 year old son has been very distant lately. For the past 2 months, I've notice my son sitting in his room alone but often seems that he's carrying on a conversation with someone. I know that toddlers usually go through that, but my son never was like that until recently. He never wants to play with other kids. He always wants to remain in his room alone. He just finished kindergarden and will be entering 1st grade in September. What can this mean?? Why would he start now?? Should I be concerned?
2006-06-06 15:05:55 · 44 answers · asked by **SPARKLES** 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Just to elaborate, my son was the funny, outgoing, very playful child. Everyone in his class adored him. I play with him when I'm not busy and don't see any other reason why he would act this way. He is in no way "sad" or "angry". No one has abused him sexually, mentually, or physically. He just likes talking to himself alot and prefers to be alone.
2006-06-07 10:25:51 · update #1
to try to get an idea of just who he is talking to, before you go any where, like Dr. or something, get him a chalk board or some large paper and get him to draw a story about his friend he is always talking to... that way you and the involved parties, doctors in needed, will have an idea of a good starting point.... let him draw his story in private... ask him to draw things like, places he and this friend would like to go some day... or where they have been... things they talk about... ppl they both like... fav. toy.... fav kind of animal..... etc...... simple things like this will give you BIG clues........... God bless
2006-06-07 11:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by Annie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have you asked him if he's ok? Are there any problems at school? He could be being bullied by someone, and oh yes it does happen at this early age. He may have an imaginary friend. Do you allow him to watch TV? Some of the content makes suggestions to little folks.
He also could have some stress about going onto 1st grade. Does he know any other 1st graders? It could be that he heard something form someone else ,even someones parent that you were talking to. There are so many different things it could be. He will need a yearly physical, you could discuss it with your pediatrician.
Kids are little sponges, is there anything going on around him that could have made him feel badly? It could just be a phase too, I wouldn't be overly concerned. But I would try to get him out of his room and outside for the fresh air at least. Play with him, draw him out. Ask if he wants to play with somebody specific, including an imaginary friend.
2006-06-06 15:14:31 · answer #2 · answered by oman396 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have reason to be concerned because good mothers are always concerned mothers!! He is growing up and he is enjoying this time to play in his room with his stuff and just kind of do his own thing... he probably isnt carrying a conversation, he is probably playing and giving his toys voices and having them talk to eachother...
I would say it is a phase but 2 months is a long time. I suggest that you start logging the details of this behavior in some type of journal.... such as daily activites (other than sitting in the room), how long he sits in the room, specific things you see or hear him doing. Also note if anything out of the ordinary happened that day.
The reason for the log is it is great to give to a doctor instead of just trying to recall events when the doctor asks you.
And dont push him to give you an explaination... you can casually ask him some questions here and there but dont put pressure on him.
when he is in his room, politely knock on the door and offer him a different activity that can be done in a different room (do you want to play a game in the living room together?) Try to get him to spend time with you outside of the room, tyr some play dates but dont bombard him or make it too staged and uncomfortable
good luck
2006-06-06 22:01:16 · answer #3 · answered by geet840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have some time alone with him and try to get answers from him by asking the right questions. Kids at that age may carry a lot of burden without a parent ever noticing it. They tend to keep things to themselves, especially things they are embarassed to talk about or they anticipate the punishment if they say it out loud. Your son may have a problem which he does not know how to address or is afraid to let it all out.Take him to a place he likes, buy him a toy he would go crazy about, and then sit somewhere (I would suggest a park) where there are no distractions. Start asking questions about the school, make sure you pay attention to details and watch his responses carefully. His body language will tell you whether you stumble upon a topic he hesitates to talk about. and yes, you should follow up with pediatrician as well, but trust me, medication is an option only if all other options are exhausted. Best of luck to you! and don't worry, kids usually tend to withdraw at this age as they gain a better sense of self...
2006-06-06 15:16:14 · answer #4 · answered by gudrun077 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since this is a sudden onset, I would be concerned now. Is he being picked on at school? Has something out of the ordinary happened in his life? Sounds like he has an imaginary friend as a coping mechanism. Most kids that have imaginary friends also engage in play with others, the fact that he only wants to be alone is troublesome. Take your son to his pediatrician and if you don't like what he says, get another opinion. Your gut is telling you something is wrong, so IT IS. Remember, you are your child's advocate, and if you don't stand up for him, who will? I learned this hard lesson a long time ago. Listen to your gut instincts!!!
2006-06-06 17:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by sweetiepie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would be concerned & yes I would contact a pediatrician & maybe a child specialist councilor. However he is entering a very vunerable stage. If his problem is being anti social & then he gets a message from you in both your verbal & body laungage that you find him odd then it will only serve to reinforce anti social behavior & damage to self esteem. Yes tell him you're concerned & why youre taking him to a DR. Remember nothing about him without him. If you respect him, he'll respect himself.
Oh & 2 other things 1 never hesitate to tell him you're proud of him even for little things. It does wonders for the self esteem & never telling them can be very damaging.
2 if you suspect he's lonely & needs something to talk to get him a small pet. Not a fish a pet he can pet like a hamster, mouse or if you're up to it a housecat or dog. 1 it is something real, that's a good listener, 2 a pet can be social lubricant. Sharing his pet with classmate may help him have a common bond & make friends.
2006-06-07 07:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by poetm18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be nothing and kids do have imaginary friends. Has he been traumatized lately by some event at school or contact with a friend or family member? I don't know if he is depressed as that seems a little early for it to set in. I am sorry to mention this, but could it be onset of autism ( I pray for you it is not sister as this can be devastating). I would get him in to the Doctor soonest but if he suggests drug treatment, go get a second opinion as some Doctors are so prone to prescribing drugs without really knowing what the problem is, and you know that they get kickbacks from the Drug Corps. Love him and let him know that you are there. Ask him if he would introduce you to his imaginary friends and make it a game. This will require you to be strong Sis, but you can do it. Take your time and don't push him, as that could make things worse. Take one of his Teddy Bears and using your voice talk to him as if you are the Teddy Bear and tell him that you (as the Teddy Bear ) wonder if he is OK as he has been feeling sad lately and wonder if he feels the same. Good Luck and God Bless you and your son!!!
2006-06-06 15:15:10 · answer #7 · answered by Crowfeather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's common for a child to have an imaginary friend. Since this started 2 months ago, I don't think he's depressed over school ending, maybe something happened at school, you might want to talk to him about it, try encouraging him to go play with some other kids and if he says no ask why. Let him know your there to help if there's a problem, but you can't help if you don't know what it is.
2006-06-06 15:12:14 · answer #8 · answered by helleonwheels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think back to when you first noticed this.... was he left in the care of someone besides you... it kinda sounds like the symptoms of molestation, but it could be lots of things. Did he lose a pet, or has there been a death in the family? Some kids discover their mortality around that age. Have you tried talking to him about it? Get some professional help if he doesn't come around soon.
2006-06-06 15:11:27 · answer #9 · answered by eggman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might mean that your son has been restricted from others for a while, has this happened recently? He probably showed it now because of that. You should just involve him with other kids by putting him into extra cirricular activities so he can break out of this routine. I wouldn't be worried, but just follow this and other people's responses, and everything should be back to normal.
2006-06-06 15:08:51 · answer #10 · answered by Hot T-Bone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are so many stages that kids go through, I would not neccessarily think that this is cause for alarm at this stage. Maybe he is nervous about grade one, maybe he isn't getting along well with others in his class, maybe he simply is just satisfied with playing by himself right now. Keep an eye onhim and make sure that he knows that you are there if he wants to talk to you about something.
2006-06-06 15:13:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋