Hi,

I am sitting here on the verge of tears not knowing what to do. I have a beautiful 5yr old whom i would say has always been your typical boy. Happy most of the time, the occasional tanty but a pretty good kid. We also have an 8mth old baby and the two of them are bonded so strongly already. Luckily we have never had jealousy issues, the 5yr old idolises his little brother. DS will be starting big school next year.

Over the last couple of weeks however, his behaviour has turned really bad. He is not listening to anything we say, we have not changed anything we do with him,i would not say he is angry but he is smirking and running around the house and making loud annoying noises right in our faces. He won't go to bed and is just plan crazy. I have tried to calmly talk to him, not wanting to make things worse but he just won't go back to his normal self. He has a cousin who suffers from ADHD and ODD, i know this can be genetic and is more prevelant in boys and there are also traits in my DH and his father. It terrifies me that this may be a part of what we are dealing with. My DH has always been into sport and fitness and channels all his energy there so it's never been a problem as such. We have decided to cut out any suggary and processed foods, make more of a strict routine throughout the day and include some form of exercise with his dad every evening. DH recently got a new job so he could be at home more as his previous role was hugely demanding.

Over the last few years we have had all kinds of hurdles to overcome, and i just felt that life had finally come back to normal. I really just want someone to give me some tips and advice on how to deal with these "episodes" when they occurr. I feel like i am going to loose the plot. When i drop him off at kindy i have a knot in my stomach as he bit someone there the other day! We have talked to him about all of this and he says he understands that he needs to listen and not to hurt his friends etc. but now that it is affecting things outside where i cant be there to control the situation i am freaking out.

Please someone give me some direction....Thanks