DS (7) hit his baby sister

[Pookietooth]

Yesterday, on the way home from dd's 12 mo WBV, ds hit dd with a plastic toy and gave her a black eye. Also, last week after he was playing with her, she began to show signs of a hurt foot, and in fact we took her to urgent care (on her birthday no less) thinking it was broken. Now we think he may have done something then too. Is this normal seven year old behavior? We are now not letting him be out of our sight with her, and no longer driving with both of them (tricky, since we only have one car). He also seems rather emotionless, and we are worried he could be depressed. He spends the majority of the time watch TV -- mostly cartoon network. We unschool, but since baby S was born, haven't been good about strewing or much else and it's more like non-schooling. I'm thinking maybe he needs more structure, but not sure what to do.
I will be calling a therapist today.

[nextcommercial]

If it's intentional, no, it's not normal.

But, if he's just being reckless, and not really meaning to hit her, but not trying to avoid it either... then, yes, that's normal. It's like the kid standing in a crowd and swinging a bat, then being surprised that it hit someone. We think "DUH!!!", but they think "Oops".

I would watch more closely to see if he's intentionally hurting her, "experimenting" on her... or if he's just "swinging a bat" and not thinking first.

Just in case, also watch to see if he's hurting animals. If he is, I'd get him some help. If he's not, I'd just keep reminding him to pay attention and use some common sense. He can still be held responsible if he's just being careless. It's an accident, but it's not always OK, and saying "i'm sorry" doesn't always mean it's OK.

[Norasmomma]

Are you against putting him in school? His sitting around watching TV is probably not helping, especially CN, it's riddled with cartoon violence. He probably does need more structure. Maybe now isn't the time to be homeschooling(or as you said no schooling).

Have you asked him about the foot incident? Is he jealous because DD is getting all of his attention leaving him to hurt her for some attention?

I'd be concerned, on a few levels.

[mkksmom]

I agree that it depends on the situation. My older dd is sometimes careless and hurts her sister a little in the process-- nothing serious, but enough to make her squeal a bit. If it is intentional or in anger, then I worry more.

I will say that I home schooled her last year (well somewhere between un-schooling and homeschooling really) and just couldn't so it this year. My 1 YO just requires so much more and my dd is doing so so much better with the structure that school provides. I felt like I was shipping her off and wasn't very settled with it, but I knew that I cannot provide the structure she needs.

[Pookietooth]

He admitted last night that he grabbed her foot and twisted it. He spoke of it in a strange way, as if his hand acted on its own or maybe as if her foot wasn't real. I am definitely seeking professional help at this point.