Six is around the age where children (boys, mostly) start showing signs of tic disorders. My son has transient tics, which is a mild form of Tourettes. He twitches his eyes and mouth and he can't tell he's doing it.

You and your husband need to have a talk with your son's pediatrician. One in four boys develop some type of tic and getting cross with him will only make the problem worse. If he has this disorder, HE CAN'T HELP THE TICS! My son is on medication (Tenex) and it helps for the most part. It's been worse this past week because he went back to school and was excited.

He has never had a problem with the kids in school and most of his friends don't seem to notice. The neurologist suggested having a sense of humor if someone asks him about it. He tells them, "Everyone has a habit, this one's mine. It's better than picking my nose."

I'm not saying that your son for sure has tics, but he fits the profile. Is he on any ADD medication? Tics are a side effect of some of those. Also, is your son a little OCD about anything? My son has always been a little germo-phobic. Obsessive-compulsiveness can also be a clue.