Last night, my youngest helped me tackle the construction of a bathroom cabinet that seemed to have a million tiny pieces. Unlike me, he doesn’t bother with the instructions—he dives right in. He unwraps the pieces, sorts them (sorting is a must), and gets to work.
“We can figure this out, Mom,” he assures me with a grin as he glances at the pictures, picks up a few pieces, and starts assembling the cabinet. In between his bursts of activity, he cracks his knuckles, a new habit of his. Before this, he had a tendency to pinch his neck, leaving dark bruises, and before that, he would suck his fingers while occupying his other hand—progress has been made, so I can overlook the constant knuckle-cracking.
With his help, my sanity was saved once again. I’ve learned that I should probably avoid purchasing anything labeled “some assembly required,” but I can’t resist a good piece of furniture on the internet, knowing he’ll be my little helper—and he actually enjoys it! Together, we’ve constructed a desk, a dresser, two cabinets, and a chair (with only a smidge of swearing on my part).
This kid never ceases to amaze me with his quick wit and humor. He’s kind and intelligent, but let me tell you—he is always on the move. Always. And sometimes, it drives me a little bonkers, prompting me to bite my tongue.
His teachers have been incredibly supportive. They were the ones who first pointed out that he needs to move to learn effectively. They provided him with a big, bouncy ball to sit on in class, allowed gum chewing, and even offered “fidgets,” aka stress balls, to help the kids channel their energy without disrupting the class. This support has made a huge difference for him—and for me. While he still needs occasional reminders to stay focused, his impulse control has improved significantly. I owe a lot of gratitude to the teachers who helped me see that my son wasn’t just being difficult; he genuinely struggles to control his need to move. I’ve taken their advice and applied it at home, and it’s been a game changer.
When we attend sporting events, which is often since his older siblings play, he dreads sitting still for hours. We never leave the house without a stress ball, gum, and a book. He still squirms a bit, but he chomps down on his gum and squeezes that ball like it’s a life raft. He claims wearing a coat makes him feel warm and cozy, which seems to help calm him down—sometimes he even opts to wear his winter coat to bed!
Movie outings, even for films he’s been eagerly anticipating, require a fidget toy to keep his hands busy, along with his snacks. I watch him stare at the screen, absorbed, while he squeezes the ball. On the rare occasions we forget it, I can see how much harder it is for him to settle down and enjoy himself, even with something he was excited about.
Long car rides used to be torture until I figured out he needs to have some way to move, even while strapped into his seat. While doing homework, he often has to walk around or swivel on a stool at the kitchen island to stay engaged. He also loves bouncing on big exercise balls.
I’ve come to understand that many kids are fidgety, and just because my son needs to move differently than his older siblings, who can sit still without a problem, doesn’t mean he’s “bad.” All kids crave movement—they love to roll, climb, run, jump, and dance. My son just requires more physical activity than most.
For those of you with fidgety children who never seem to sit still, I get it. It can be incredibly stressful. I sometimes feel guilty that his constant motion can push me to my limit, but I know he can’t help it. Whether he’s been biking for hours or engaged in endless games of tag, he simply needs to move while awake. Memory and movement are closely linked, and he learns best through action rather than stillness. It’s essential for me to be patient and let him discover how he learns best. Plus, I’ll always have a little helper when I make an impulse buy at IKEA!
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this insightful post on intracervical insemination. And for those on a fertility journey, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. For comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent option.
In summary, raising a child who is always in motion can be challenging, but understanding their needs and finding creative solutions can make all the difference. Embracing their uniqueness allows for a more fulfilling parenting experience.