6-yr. old wants to move out
Hello all, I have not posted here before, but thought it a good time to come and visit. Maybe you've experienced this or have some helpful advice for us?
My 6-yr. old son has packed his bags and says he's moving out. (now I would laugh myself at that, but he actually did it) DH & I tried the 'ol reverse psychology by saying "oh, okay, well we hope you like your new family and we're sorry you won't be able to go to Disney with us", but then he has kept it going ever since. Now we've started saying "you know, we will be VERY sad if you move away from us and our hearts will be broken". He assures us he'll come to visit.
Anyone go through this? Is it just a phase? What's the best way to react?
TIA peeps!
I don't have any advice...my daughter is only 22 mos (next week) but seeing this in the future would NOT surprise me! Reminds me of a story my family used to tell...my uncle got that same bright idea around the same age, he packed a little backpack with his jammies and some crackers and juice and headed out. In the winter! He came back very quickly! 
I would think it is definitely a phase. Did he say why he wanted to move out all of a sudden? Bless his heart, chuckling at the image that he actually packed his bags. Ask him where he's moving to!
I would think it is definitely a phase. Did he say why he wanted to move out all of a sudden? Bless his heart, chuckling at the image that he actually packed his bags. Ask him where he's moving to! 
I've been in your shoes....when my 18 yr old was 7 she up and ran away. Yes, 7 and she actually left our house in the middle of winter wearing a pair of boots and shorts. She just went about a block away to a friend of our family. We let her stay there for a while (couple hours) and talk to her. What had happened was my cousin had a baby on her birthday and everyone kept telling her how cook it was that the baby HAD her birthday. She only understood that the baby would now have that birthday and she didn't any longer. It just took someone having the patience to let her talk and explained to her that they could both still have the same birthday. Just keep reminding him how much you all love him and how you would be sooo upset if he actually left. I do think it's probably just a phase and he'll come around but it's no fun in the mean time.
Oh boy do I feel for you. My 6 year old son is good for these kinds of tricks. He hasn't left home yet but I wouldn't put this past him any day now. Both he and his 11 year old sister believe life in my house is soooooo horrible (wait until they get around to meeting someone with a horrible life). One of the things I tell my kids is that it is illegal for them to leave home and the police will come and arrest them. I don't know if that's the best solution but it works on seatbelts too. They don't want to go to jail (which I guess they feel is worse than my house - LOL) so they pay attention.
You might want to get at the root of the sudden change which is often hard at 6. But maybe you could ask him why he thinks it would be better to leave and where he wants to go. Could he leave and go to a grandparent's house for awhile to get away and relax? There is something that has changed in his mind that makes him think somewhere else is better than home. I know I went through this phase too as a child. He'll get past it but it wouldn't hurt to see what has happened to make him pack his bags.
Good luck.
Thank you all for the replies. I ended up calling a parent coach / psych who deals with this kind of stuff as I was concerned that it would carry beyond the childhood years if we dealt with it incorrectly as parents. The first thing she did was listen, the second thing she did was say "well, he is very determined if he packed his bags and you are going to LOVE that determination when he gets older" (which was a compliment as she feels he will be a goal setter and determined to meet his goals), and the third thing she said was "can we meet on Thursday". I feel so much relief. I do hate to put down the money for it, but I honestly hate to play my cards wrong and have my child lose because of it. I know it might seem over-reactive, but I guess I'd much rather be safe than sorry.
Again, thank you all & god bless your families!
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