normal behaviour

[beccasmommy]

Okay this is about my 6 year old son, I am really worried that there is somthing wrong with him. I have an almost 2 year old son as well and my 6 year old seems to take great pleasure in scaring my little guy. the 2 year old is scared of bugs so while I have my back turned he will take out his plastic bug for the prupose of scaring the little one who basically collapses in a heap on the floor from fear, I have tried everything to stop this behaviour and Have no idea of what to do next I am really afraid my son, he intentionally hurts the 2 year old has pushed down stairs and such. I have tried everything from punishing him to trying to take extra time with extra time with the 6 year old to try to minimize the problem with jealousy and nothing has worked HELP

 

[b.hopeful]

I don't think it's atypical...especially the scaring part. I think it gives them a sense of power. I would look into other areas and figure out if he is regularly empowered in healthy ways. Also...make sure he has a lot of time with peers. I think the "pack mentality" comes into play with kids. If he's around kids his age he can work on healthy ways to be assertive.

Don't overlook the fact that the 2yo needs help on getting over his fear of bugs as well. I think kids pick up fears from their parents..so assess that. It's certainly not healthy to collapse on the floor over the sight of a plastic or even a real bug. My kids have never used a night light and sleep in the dark..often asking us to close their door all the way. Someone once commented that it's weird they weren't afraid of the boogey man or monsters under the bed and I mentioned it might have something to do with the fact that they've never heard of such notions. (now they are older..so they've heard of it..but it doesn't hold the same power over them )