Update on Sam's behavior

[theWrap]

Well, y'all, I had an hour and a half talk with my parents last Friday which led to an epiphany for me. Sam is going through separation anxiety. All of his really serious behavior problems are related to steps in the separation process: getting his diaper changed and getting him dressed in the morning, getting him into the car for daycare, getting him into the bath, getting him OUT of the bath, getting his diaper and pjs on, going to bed.

This morning he clung to me when I tried to go take a shower. A shower!

I've been hitting the fast food rule and toddlerese hard (for those who are familiar with Happiest Toddler on the Block) and it really seems to be shortening his fits. I've also just had to manhandle him some on getting dressed and undressed, and be creative in making things a game.

Night times, I'm sticking with locking him in. Last night, he cried only a few minutes. He's sleeping on the floor by the door, though. I'm dressing him accordingly, in warmer pjs, since he doesn't have a blanket over there. But he seems well-rested and I guess he'll either keep sleeping on the floor or decide to stay in/get back in bed.

Otherwise, Doug and I are just trying to be consistent and structured and hang on with all we got so we can ride it out.

[Farah]

Woohoo! I'm glad you're getting a handle of whatever is going on with him. Just be warned....now that he knows you're catching on....he'll change it up again! :hehe:

[PinkPaisley]

Oh Sadie went through that and she still is. She has a very hard time even now with going somewhere or leaving if she's have a good time. We try to do the 5 3 1 rule when where leaving some place. It's tough!!!! Stay strong

[Heather]

Glad you're making some progress! My child has been a beast lately too and I'm sure it has everything to do with the 4 molars he's cutting right now. We WILL make it through!! :hugs:

[Sarah]

:bighug: It's times like this when it's hard to be a parent! There are times when Andrew just had to go to sleep and sometimes he would cry so hard, he ended up sobbing. The sobbing sound hurts my heart! I do know Andrew, and if given the opportunity, he will stay up until 1:00 a.m., so it's for the best... :support:

[Jojo]

:hugs:

Glad to hear things are looking up!

Matthew has separation anxiety also...though I go everywhere with him he just freaks out if I leave the room even to go to the bathroom. If I am not in the room and call his name he throws a full out tantrum.

[Meshell]

Separation anxiety is a tough one to battle. I'm glad you're finding something that works though.

[theWrap]

:hugs:

Glad to hear things are looking up!

Matthew has separation anxiety also...though I go everywhere with him he just freaks out if I leave the room even to go to the bathroom. If I am not in the room and call his name he throws a full out tantrum.

Really, Jo? Wow. How do you survive that? I am a rather independent person (now that I'm grown up) and it's hard to have him want to cling to me so much.

[bella_bella]

William has a bit of this. As soon as I get home from work it's freak out sessions all night unless I'm holding him. I'm learning to adapt, he really just wnats to be close to be so a dining room chair pulled up beside me while I'm cooking dinner really helps! Bath time is ok, but we have the same AM issues....changing for daycare is hard. Once he's changed he's not bad because we get to take Lily for a walk and he likes that. BUT if he doesn't want to do it, there is NO forcing him. that's where we have our fights! haha

My nephew is horrible for anxiety! To the point that he gets violent or cries if he's having a bad day. My SIL is working on it, but he's a shy kid so it's hard.

[lilbunnygirl]

:hugs:

Glad to hear things are looking up!

Matthew has separation anxiety also...though I go everywhere with him he just freaks out if I leave the room even to go to the bathroom. If I am not in the room and call his name he throws a full out tantrum.

Jo, Cash was a lot like this & the good news I have for you is that by giving him a base of security and having you be there for him now, he will outgrow this & become super independent because he trusts you to always be there. I was scared that by always responding to his anxiety by being present I was making him a permanent fraidy cat mamma's boy, but a friend of mine told me the opposite was actually true and sure enough it has played out. Right around 22 months it went from him being all MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY *clingy* to me following him around like "Hello? Remember me? Mommy? From the hospital?" Just keep loving him up and he will grow out of this stage before you know it!

[PinkPaisley]

:hugs:

Glad to hear things are looking up!

Matthew has separation anxiety also...though I go everywhere with him he just freaks out if I leave the room even to go to the bathroom. If I am not in the room and call his name he throws a full out tantrum.

this is my kid to and SHE'S FIVE!!!!!

[Jojo]

:hugs:

Glad to hear things are looking up!

Matthew has separation anxiety also...though I go everywhere with him he just freaks out if I leave the room even to go to the bathroom. If I am not in the room and call his name he throws a full out tantrum.

Jo, Cash was a lot like this & the good news I have for you is that by giving him a base of security and having you be there for him now, he will outgrow this & become super independent because he trusts you to always be there. I was scared that by always responding to his anxiety by being present I was making him a permanent fraidy cat mamma's boy, but a friend of mine told me the opposite was actually true and sure enough it has played out. Right around 22 months it went from him being all MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY *clingy* to me following him around like "Hello? Remember me? Mommy? From the hospital?" Just keep loving him up and he will grow out of this stage before you know it!

Thanks Lily! :hug: