Why my kid wants to keep everything in their place?

[hector172]

Hello, mi son is 3 years old, he has a few weeks where he is obsess with have everything in his place, for example, he has a box with balls, we used to play a lot with the balls, throw each others, play soccer,etc, but now he want always to keep the balls in the box, if i take one he start to cry and be stressed, in a party they gave him a bag with candys, instead want to eat them, he have them in the bag, he doesn't want to open any candy, he want's all his toys in their place, if i say let's plays with that car, no, he want it in the table where we used to leave it, and for many other thngs, also food, if he wants water, i take it from inside the fridge to give him, and he says NO, put it inside again, many things like this, the popcorns for microwave, he love them, i said let's do some, he was crying because i open the popcorn, after a few minutes he satart to eat them and everything normal. What can i do, i am trying to do the opposite, leave all dis ordered (toys, cars, balls) and tell him its ok, but is very hard. i will appreciate any proffesional opinion. thanks

[margypops]

You say he has a younger brother there could be some jealous feelings there maybe he sees the younger child getting attention he used to get ..so focus on his positive side and praise him when you see him doing something right.Indeed as you say starting Kindergarten could also trigger hurt feelings ., maybe feel hes being pushed out, how about you give him some one to one time ball games and fun .

[hector172]

Thanks all for your comments, my kid is better, I used a commentt from here, I know kids take control if you let them, I just ignore as much as possible that behaviors, let him know he is not in charge, and that he won't convince me when he cry and he has been better. He has a younger brother, 1 year old. Also he just start in kindergaden so I think that's another reason he was like that.

[jdtm]

First of all, no one on this site is a professional (there are "Expert Forums" for professionals).  Most of us are parents or grandparents.  That being said, I tend to agree with the two posters who feel your child should be evaluated for an anxiety disorder.  OCD is one of the anxiety disorders.  Often at this young age, huge strides can be made in treatment so that the process is much much shorter than if you wait another couple of years or so.  All the best ...

[ohcalcutagirl]

he may do well with medication but he must be evaluated.
as to HIS things, respect that
as to everyone's things, popcorn, water, food; simply show him the JOY of sharing while not allowing him to control the situation
does he do ok with other kids, is he an only child, does he have friends he plays with

[st33l]

hi this sounds like a bad ccase of OCD if i was you i would take him to the doctors and see what they say about this. as he is only 3 years old and useually 3 year olds love to make a mess . hope this helps ...

[margypops]

hi you are trying too hard to please him.. it is what it is , popcorn is done..put it down ..he cries.. let him, stop pandering to him, he is becoming the boss.Take the water from th fridge he says no put it back .Nothing more . If you ignore the behavior it will subside in my opinion ..good luck