[tbogardus]

I have a son who is six years old that we adopted from Russia when he was 8 mths old. He started Kindergarten last year and is going in the first grade.He is extremely intellegent and very sweet natured. His Kindergarten teacher loved him always commented on how sweet and smart he is.He was never a behavior problem.

However,about a week ago we noticed him making humming/exhaling sounds outloud. We recently adopted another child from Russia and we noticed him doing when we left for our first trip (my wife and I had ever been away from him before) that he started making a "sing/songy" little noice pretty frequently. Eventually it subsided. We got our daughter home from Russia 2 mths ago and his world has changed. We are also having him take swim lessons which he hates because he is so afraid of the water.Now he making the noices I mentioned above that almost sound like exhaling and humming noices.Should werried?what should do? I am wondering if these noises have been brought on by the stress of getting a new sister (who is 2 and drives him cazy).

[TweetyMom04]

Could be a coping mechanism. Could be discovery of a new vocal chord. Could be repeating a noise, bird, outside.

When are the noises, am or pm?
What are the activities going on (when he makes the noise)? Busy household, mealtime, quiet time, sleeping, around family/friends?
Is he doing anything else, playing, concentrating when you hear these noises?
Is he mouth or nose breathing?
Has he done any nasal excavating lately? Sometimes you can get a whistler.

[sheababy]

Sounds like a stress response. Just my 2 cents but if he hates the swimming lessons I wouldn't make him go. Our DD's swim teacher just told us never to try to make them do something in the water that they don't want to or their fear will just get worse.

[Kasey]

I agree it sounds like a stress response and maybe some self soothing behavior due to the changes. he is probably having a lot of emotions due to you being away and coming back with a new child that takes away attention from him. My oldest was 2 1/2 when went adopted, he did regress a bit which we expected. We just tried to keep things low key for both of them and make sure he got one on one time with one of us each day.
As a swim instructor and swim coach for years, don't force him in the lessons. cancel them, just get in the water with you and let him play and relax. He needs to feel safe and relaxed in the water before even being able to learn anything. once he feels that way he will start playing and experimenting on his own. If it is stressing him, don't continue it.
I would also reinforce the attachment parenting with him as well and talk to him about howis feeling, if he is scared, what is he worried about, etc.. Constant reassurance.
Best wishes andcongrats on your little one!

[votemom]

i agree that it sounds like anxiety.

[angelkisses0102]

I agree as well. If it were me...I would do lots of attachment parenting and if it really was bothering me...I'd involve some professionals.

He sounds stressed...so do whatever you can to reduce the stress...like forgetting the swimming lessons...for right now.

Congrats on your daughter!! But spend some quality, one on one with your DS. Six year old little boys are balls of emotions...as I have one myself. Give him lots of reassurance and love...and hang in there.

All the best!!!

[votemom]

the tricky thing about anxiety is that sometimes the bigger deal you as a parent make about it can make a child feel more anxious. i would take my cues from your son. respond to the needs you sense that he has. remember this is a time of transition in his life and it doesn't mean this is how he is always going to be. change can be hard, but change can be good! good luck!

[tbogardus]

thank you all. I agree with everything you said. We are going to cancel the swim lessons. We found that he mostly makes the noises while rocking in the recliner watching TV, almost as if he is trying to anticipate what the characters are saying. The sounds are kind of low humming noise.

[GCS]

I agree that this sounds like a coping mechanism. First grade is a big change for many kids, is he nervous about it? For some reason my son was. You may want to stop what you're doing when you see him acting this way, turn off the tv and ask him what he's focused on at that time.

On the other hand, my son is a year older than yours and every so often he just comes up with a new habit. Clearing his throat or swishing spit around in his mouth (my favorite! ). If he's doing it in front of tv maybe its just a new habit/ skill he's aquired.