...Hmmmmm
Don't think so!
At least not at the moment.
Our nearly-6-year-old Thomas is developing a pretty vicious temper, we are getting tantrum after tantrum over absolutely nothing and I'm slowly discovering exactly how much hard work it is trying to parent such a tempestuous child. Man, I am really struggling... And failing - at least it feels that way.
OK. I'll grant you that: Tom is absolutely delightful. He is happy, easy-going, charming, tender and generous. He is so loving that he makes my heart melt and soar with joy many times a day; needless to say people everywhere fall in love with him, because he is simply irresistible! He does indeed have a stunningly sunny personality and undeniable charisma. And he's WAAAAY cute. And he knows it. Too cute really; if you have a child with Down's Syndrome, or know any, you'll be familiar with the 'cute-factor'... Right??!
His play and social skills are second to none; he is funny and entertaining and I would go so far as to say he is a very talented, hilarious little comedian whose potential God only knows (...watch this space!).
And I can truly, honestly say that we are very blessed to have this special child in our lives; we wouldn't swap him for the world.
However...
Thomas is also stroppy, fickle and sometimes aggressive. He screams all the time with a very high-pitched, shrill little voice. This seems to be his 'default setting', the only way he communicates and it's so loud I often have to stick earplugs in to avoid getting migraines! He is incredibly easily provoked and this makes him very belligerent - sometimes even downright mean. When he gets cross or upset, it's head-against-the-wall type stuff! You do not want to get in his way when he is in a rage, as he has a tendency to randomly throw heavy objects around the place, and/or kick, and/ or bite.
And I could go on.
Help!
How do I parent this child??
He doesn't really respond to rewards.
Ignoring him could lead to him injuring himself or one of us, or to him escaping out of the house, which has happened a few times.
Smacking has been tried, and is not an option, as it just makes him even more aggressive and angry, and teaches him that hitting is OK.
I cannot really reason with him.
I refuse to plead with him, and am certainly not prepared to let him wrap me round his little finger!
I am persevering: in prayer, in loving him, and in praising him as much as I can. But tonight I am strugglin, and worried; I'm anxious about how much worse he might become over the next few years if I don't nip his behaviour in the bud.
I'm really not sure where to turn for support and advice. I have heard and read that you should discipline a child with special needs as you would any child.
Ha! Yeah right...
Much as I'd like to, I don't think I believe that to be possible.
So please.
Help me!
If you have a child with similar patterns of behaviour, what strategies have you found helpful?
Have you read any books which have helped, given practical and realistic advice?
Is it likely to get better or worse??
...And would you pray for us?
3 comments:
Hi, we have been using a technique that we heard from Frank and Catherine Fabiano all about 'the corner'...basically a positive space that the child can go to in order to feel and think. We spend a week on a child development course run by these guys which was invaluable to us...nt sure if they still do ot or have a book.
http://www.dunamis.info/corner.htm
The corner is good in that it encourages kids to feel and name their feelings, then to move on to think about their feelings, understand them and make decisions about how they want to behave. It is not fool proof but we have found it useful. Also, I'm not sure whether it suits every child or is suitable for all developmental stages...may be worth asking them.
Will keep you guys in our prayers.
I will be praying! Isaiah went through this - he would throw thing and tear his room up...don't know how much of his getting better was my influence or just Isaiah growing out of it....
I do love the parenting books by the Center for Biblical Parenting...
www.biblicalparenting.org
I have really gotten some good solid instruction on how to deal with behaviors through reading both "Parenting is Heart Work" and "Good and Angry"
hope that helps...or at least reassures
Jessie
by the way, I forgot to tell you that my Avery does the very same thing with the net - is it that elephant/butterfly game? - Avery often has it over his head and face instead of using it to catch butterflies too!
and, Tom is very, very cute - that smile would make anyone's day!
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