At my wits end, son keeps breaking everything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. To answer pps questions, it's a combination of carelessness and taking things apart. The figurine was dropped, mouse taken apart, same with humidifier (now broken because pieces missing and one plastic piece broken) I forgot to mention laptop, keys/letters all pulled off the laptop. Other items dropped and some were named.

It's not a new thing, been like this all his life but like other pps, we thought he'd be over it by now.

We aren't in the same room obviously when all this happens. Each time we don't think it'll happen again and while it doesn't happen with the same item, he find something else totouch, take apart, explore.

I think those were all the questions

Oh, he does have ADHD.

OP it sounds like impulsive behavior combined with ol' fashioned curiosity to see what's inside or how things work. I was a perpetual "taker apart" of things because of curiosity and lack of forethought on what might happen if I ruined something. I got over it at around 7-8 (although I could never prevent myself from cutting the hair off of my Barbies). My DS isn't quite as destructive, but I made a point of specifically telling him why he couldn't take things apart. Discipline worked a bit- but I think some kids need to know in advance that it will ruin the item and/or it could be dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Again, not as punishment, but simply:since things get broken when you are alone, you need to stay with arms reach of me....

Or you could read Mrs pigglewiggle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here again.

Great advice pps who suggested starting from scratch and the potent up being in the house and not really funneling that energy. I think you're both spot on. Thanks.

To the pp about only playing with toys. I agree, but again, is not like we permit him. I never thought he'd take down the figurine to play or look at it. He said it broke when he was putting it back.

The laptop was just sitting there, he never uses it, doesn't even know the password. I walked by and several letters were off the keyboard, charge, I think was involuntary. Twisted off the part you plug in to iPad.

Thanks for advice.

He's trying to figure things out. My husband was like that as a kid - drove my MIL nuts until he started to fix things for her at age 11. LOL. Now? He's freaking Macguyver!

My nephew is JUST like your son! Turn your back and he's sprayed air freshener in his face by mistake (wanted to see how it came out of the can), conducted experiments in the sink with expensive shampoos and body lotions, etc. He accidentally breaks things too. On the plus side, he's absolutely hilarious, so that helps.

Get him toys like Snap Circuits. Give him already broken items he can take apart to see how they were put together. If you know how to upgrade a PC, let him help you. Get videos like Bill Nye The Science Guy and Myth Busters. He wants to know stuff! Let him.