Is this normal?

[Sonya]

My DS seems to be a little OCD. He wants his little action figures just so in his bedside table. He has to tell my bye and give me so many hugs before I can leave in the morning. It isn't anything big or anything that stops him from doing what he wants or being a slob But just little things that make me go hmmmmmm. Is this normal for a 6 year old that is very sensitive?

 

[XYSRUS]

I say everybody's a little OCD. Kids thrive off routine. At his age, and if the behavior doesn't interfere with everyday life, then it's OK, IMO!

 

[Kies99]

This sounds like my 6 and 8 yo DD's.

I leave my house at 6am M-F for work. My 8yo dd HAS to get up and give me hug and kiss before leaving. When she was younger and started this, she'd cry if I left and she didn't get up. Now she doesn't cry if she misses me, but still is a little bummed out.

My 6yo dd still has issues with change. She takes Karate and the way the school works is that there is one master with one additional instructor. However sometimes they have various different black-belt students do the instruction. My daughter tears us and sometimes crys when there's a new instructor as she doesn't like change. We force her through it and she's ususally stops the tears after a few minutes or so (she doesn't sit out of the class, just tears up/cries while going through the motions). However, she shows no signs of anything like this at home.

I agree with what XYSRUS in that kids thrive on routine. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My daughter used to have to separate all her Skittles or M&Ms in color order (rows of red, orange, brown...) and they have to be eaten in a specific order. If you went in and messed up her rows or mixed the colors, she'd go nuts. There were many instances of these tendancies, but nothing seemed to have developed. I think, to a certain degree, it's natural and helps them keep a certain order to their lives and the things they can control.

 

[Sonya]

Thanks. I figured it was a phase but our family has some tendancies twards this and I was freaking. It seems like every day there is some new thing you have to do in order or he has to start all over again. Too bad keeping his room clean isn't one.

 

[NMAmy]

DD's always been one that liked her routine. Her room would be an absolute disaster area and yet she'd fuss at me if I accidentally put a marker in her pencil drawer. She also alphabetizes all her cd's, dvd's and books.

Just keep an eye on it and, if it appears as though these things are holding him back from living life normally, take him to see a counselor.

 

[3boymthr]

Every kid has their little tendencies. IMO the little routines are their way of taking control of world that's primarily controlled by others - especially once they enter school and are being ordered around practically all day; when my oldest was younger he had to have all the trash cans in the same spots, a fraction of an inch either way and he would have to fix them .

But... if you are still worried, talk to his teachers to see if this is continuing into school times and interfering with school work. If it is then talk to your pediatrician.

 

[EthansMom]

My DS seems to be a little OCD. He wants his little action figures just so in his bedside table. He has to tell my bye and give me so many hugs before I can leave in the morning. It isn't anything big or anything that stops him from doing what he wants or being a slob But just little things that make me go hmmmmmm. Is this normal for a 6 year old that is very sensitive?

My DD5 has some behaviors that are on the low end of the OCD scale. I did discuss them with our pediatrician who said that as long as her behaviors don't interfere with her life, she's probably okay.

We do have to encourage DD5 to behave appropriately to some things, though. For instance, something being "not quite perfect" can occasionally throw DD into a huge crying/screaming fit. We're working (and have her teacher onboard too) to encourage DD to calm down and realize that her reaction is out of proportion and that she can resolve her problems in a calmer, more subdued way.

We've noticed that DD5's behaviors are more prevalent during times of stress.

 

[rwdavis2]

Keep an eye on it. My daughters was starting to get up at night to check things so we got her evaluated. Besides being slightly OCD she had an anxiety disorder and suffering from depression. Medications have helped tremendously. But before anyone should go the meds route get a very thorough psych work-up by a specialist and not just your pediatrician.
BD

 

[PrincessKsMom]

DD's always been one that liked her routine. Her room would be an absolute disaster area and yet she'd fuss at me if I accidentally put a marker in her pencil drawer. She also alphabetizes all her cd's, dvd's and books.

Just keep an eye on it and, if it appears as though these things are holding him back from living life normally, take him to see a counselor.

My daughter would do this with her DVD's and CD's too. And if you check her closet, everything is either hung according to colors, or type (all short sleeve shirts, all long sleeve shirts, all jeans, all cords, all sweaters...) As long as it doesn't become an obsession, whose to say it's a bad things. I like all my dishes, glasses, pots and pans, etc., put away a certain way.

 

[kafitty]

My daughter would do this with her DVD's and CD's too. And if you check her closet, everything is either hung according to colors, or type (all short sleeve shirts, all long sleeve shirts, all jeans, all cords, all sweaters...) As long as it doesn't become an obsession, whose to say it's a bad things. I like all my dishes, glasses, pots and pans, etc., put away a certain way.

i alphabetize as well, and my closet is arranged according to ROY G BIV. Makes finding my clothes super easy!! i'm just a smidgen OCD, but nothing that interferes with my life...i juts like things the way i like things, lol.

i agree, unless it's really interfering with life and he's not having inappropriate meltdowns when things aren't just-so, it's probably nothing huge to worry about. But keeping an eye out for that behavior isn't a bad idea.

 

[DVCLiz]

Thanks. I figured it was a phase but our family has some tendancies twards this and I was freaking. It seems like every day there is some new thing you have to do in order or he has to start all over again. Too bad keeping his room clean isn't one.

Sonya - I'm not a medical professional and my only knowledge of OCD comes from the A&E Channel and the show Obsessed, as well as reading a few books about people with OCD.

And it probably IS just a kid with normal quirks - and a lot of people have those (I really, really like my magazines to be lined up just so...)

But the part you mentioned about having to start over again is what caught my eye. If it gets to the point that he is really feeling troubled and unable to move forward with his normal activities because he is doing something a certain number of times or until it feels "right" to him, I'd mention it to his pediatrician or maybe have him assessed by a counselor of some kind. Because those behaviors seem pretty typical of someone who really does have an anxiety-related disorder with OCD tendencies.

Again, it's probably just a kid who likes things neat but I would keep an eye out anyway.

 

[Sonya]

Yeah, I'm watching him. It takes him forever to do his homework because he erases his mistakes every time, while most of us would let some of them go. But he isn't picky about his food touching, his clothes laying on the floor, or even what he is wearing. It is just a few things, mostly the goodbyes, if he feels like he messed up a hug or didn't get enough kisses he will want me to do it again. And certain things that NEED to be in the right place. I really hope he doesn't have to deal with this. I know a bit about it and don't want him to go through it.

 

[DVCLiz]

Yeah, I'm watching him. It takes him forever to do his homework because he erases his mistakes every time, while most of us would let some of them go. But he isn't picky about his food touching, his clothes laying on the floor, or even what he is wearing. It is just a few things, mostly the goodbyes, if he feels like he messed up a hug or didn't get enough kisses he will want me to do it again. And certain things that NEED to be in the right place. I really hope he doesn't have to deal with this. I know a bit about it and don't want him to go through it.

Hugs to you - he has a great mom!

 

[NMAmy]

My daughter would do this with her DVD's and CD's too. And if you check her closet, everything is either hung according to colors, or type (all short sleeve shirts, all long sleeve shirts, all jeans, all cords, all sweaters...) As long as it doesn't become an obsession, whose to say it's a bad things. I like all my dishes, glasses, pots and pans, etc., put away a certain way.

Well, maybe I'm not such a good judge because my closet is the same way as your dd's. And my books and dvd's are alphabetized. I guess dd came by it honestly.

I do have an excuse--my mom was a really messy housekeeper and I just like to be able to find stuff. I'm not obsessive about it.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

I think it is perfectly normal. My 3 year old has a routines that he insists on, like giving everyone bye bye hugs and kisses before leaving grandmas or before bedtime....HEAVEN forbid if he forgets a hug...he will scream and cry all the way home wanting me to turn the car around.
He doesn't adjust well to changes at all.

 

[C.Ann]

Some kids are just very neat and orderly and have a desire to do things a certain way.. DD's DH was like that as a child and still is today.. Sometimes it seems a bit over the top, but on the other hand, because he "is" this way he can get more things accomplished in 24 hours than anyone I know.. He's not searching for his tools; pens; etc. - always has a list of things that need to be done - prioritizes well - etc..

For now I would just keep an eye on him for really compulsive things: repeated hand washing; checking the clock over and over; continuously checking to see if he has turned something off - and things of that nature..