Anger in 7 year old grandson

I am concerned about my grandson.  Recently he has shown extreme anger.  He became very angry with his mother and set "traps" for her when she returned home.  He put a bottle of water where it would get broken when she entered the house; an egg in the middle of the hallway and a wet sponge under her pillow.  This is a child who, up until about a year ago, was vary concerned about helping others and would go out of his way to be kind.  He aslo shows his anger with screaming fits.  I'm concerned because this has gotten more intenst in the last month.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Marcia,

The concerted efforts your grandson is undertaking to express his anger by hurting his mother is a cause for worry. Without doubt such behavior is reason to seek professional help. It is not at all unusual for children to be angry toward their parents - in fact, it is to be expected. However, to planfully enter on strategies to hurt a parent is not within the normal spectrum of child behavior.

[Hutto]

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