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September 8, 2005, 7:46 pm PDT

Pre-school

Quote From: chervil

The fact that he is good at pre-school is a good indication that there is nothing medically responsible for his behaviour. Maybe he is angry or upset about the divorce, if he lacks the langauge to express his distress he will find other ways. Could you sit in with him for a couple of pre-school sessions and interact with him on his own turf so to speak. Take a back seat and observe the enviroment at pre- school what ideas can you copy and use at home. 

Nobody likes the prison guard, try not to overuse the wagging parental finger or raise your voice, kids learn very fast to tune it out. Instead of your will against his you need to make it a team game, its you and him against the world. Praise, no matter how small the contribution or effort made by him then gradually increase the level of effort needed to get the praise. Don't expect overnight success. You need to change what you do rather than try and change him, when you change your interaction he will still use the tools he has eg the tantrums be the imovable object tell him what the appropriate response is and only react and respond to that response.  Do not underestimate his intelligence. The tantrums work, they get your attention and when your worn out  and vunerable they get results. Get yourself some help, some good friends or family to help carry the load. check your own health, are you depressed or suffering from any type of emotional or stress disorder as a result of the divorce or lifes wear and tear. You need to take care of yourself if your going to be able to help your son. 

You have to do the hard work now, a tantrum at three is bad enough, but if he's still using anger to get what he wants into his teens your really going to be in trouble.  

You can do this his behaviour is a temporary hiccup that you can steer back on course and enjoy your son. Despite everything he loves you and he needs your help. good luck. xx 

"The fact that he is good at pre-school is a good indication that there is nothing medically responsible for his behaviour.

  

This is not always true.   

  

My daughter who has bipolar, post traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is wonderful most days at school and even out with other people.  She "holds it together" while at school or out and then comes home to her "safe zone" and "releases" on me. 

  

Just because kids behave in school doesn't mean you are a bad parent or that they do not have a medical condition. Medical conditions may include mental disorders such as mood and emotional disorders. 

  

If you suspect a mood disorder or emotional disorder I would contact a child psychologist or psychiatrist who deals with children of divorce.  

  

I am not trying to worry you or scare you I am just saying my daughter presented very "normal" at school during her elementary years and I blamed her at home behavior on my parenting. I found out it was not that.  Please seek help for you child even if you find out he is just upset about the divorce you can give him a safe outlet to discuss his feelings instead of taking them out on you. 

  

If you think it could be a mood disorder and want to ask question to parents with experience please go to www.bpkids.org 

  

You can also email me if you would like 

mommaoof2@yahoo.com 

  

Tammy 

 


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