[Chaos in stereo]

My 5.5yo DS spills his drinks all the time. Well, about half the time. I give him milk in a plastic cup, about 2/3 full, tell him to be careful, use both hands etc.

I figure he is going into FYOS this year, he can handle drinking from an open cup but yet again today I am cleaning up a pool of milk from the floor. It's driving me bananas. Probably also because I have a 2yo DD who is toilet training so I feel like a robo-Mum with a mop instead of a right arm right now.

He IS the sort of kid who can completely disappear into the television, ie: you have to say his name loudly several times to get his attention. So perhaps he is just distracted rather than unco.

What do you think? Am I expecting too much at this age?

[baddmammajamma]

Not having any other context about your son, it's hard to weigh in with anything super helpful (sorry!)

Some kids are just clumsy (I was a good example of one) with no underlying reason for it, other kids (like my daughter) are clumsy and spacey because they actually have some issues (in my daughter's case, poor motor planning & inattentiveness that comes from ADHD).

IMHO, it wouldn't hurt for you to raise these observations with your GP at your son's next appointment -- and you might even have a quick word with his new teacher ("Harry seems to be a bit clumsy, but I'm not sure if I am expecting too much of a 5-year-old. Would you mind keeping an eye out over the coming weeks and see if anything stands out to you?") Teachers do have the benefit of having a large group against which to calibrate!

This post has been edited by baddmammajamma: 22/01/2013, 02:44 PM

[Chaos in stereo]

I hadn't thought about bringing it up with a teacher - that's a good idea. Nothing else is raising a red flag for me... He's not very persistent and is easily frustrated, but I'm thinking that was just bad luck as I'm a bit that way at times.

Thanks BMJ