couch jumper

[steppowerlessdad38]

8 year old step son.....jumping on the couch, knocking over Xmass tree, breaking the xmass lights..

his biological mother simply said, "its normal for an 8 year old, and since he's only 8......NO PUNISHMENT!

Normal???

She claims its because he can't go outside and play....its a rough area, it was late at night..i get that part....but come on!!!

Nothing!!!!!

Is it me?

[specialmom]

Rockrose-----  we LOVE those things but it gets so darn cold here that we have to be 'creative' in the winter.  I made the kids go out and ride scooters and bikes today in 25 degree weather.  Needless to say, we were the only ones out there.  Oh well,  Then we went to our Y and swam ---  fun swim time and laps.  So, we spent a couple of hours today getting our energy out.  Yesterday, both my boys had basketball games and then we went ice skating for a couple of  hours.

Anyway, that is my point of saying that I agree----  do lots during the day to expend the energy.  It can be hard in the mid west, east and north during the winter but well worth it.

[RockRose]

I agree with specialmom about the jumping trampoline thing.  Those are great.  But also,  during the day,  he needs the chance to get out and run every day.

Can you get him a bike and a pogo stick or a skateboard,  that kind of thing?  Rollerblades?  High energy kids can't be cooped up in the house all day,  it will make him jump on the couch.  His brain is saying move move move.

Which,  in my opinion,  is a much better problem to solve than a child who is too sedentary and their brains are saying sit there and watch TV all day.  

[specialmom]

Yep, I think it is normal.  I have an 8 year old boy.  When does he jump?  When he has too much energy.  Your goal would be to give him other outlets during the day.  He may need more physical therapy in his life.  We also bought one of those in house jumping trampolines---  it was under 30 dollars.  (remember these, people supposedly use them to exercise and they are still available.  We got ours recently at K Mart).  So if my boy goes to the couch to jump----  we direct him to the trampoline.  But think of things he can do---  sports, an indoor swimming pool, running around outside, whatever to get some energy out.  Kids really really need that.
good luck

[MadonnaIsMyHero]

I think it sounds pretty normal.  

[margypops]

okay I see on rereading that he is your stepson so I suggest you have a discussion with him and his mom about his behavior it is not appropriate . No its not you . .its possible some counseling may help .

[margypops]

well first of all ...who are you in relation to this child who in fact is allowed to behave in this way ?