dakotix
DIS Dad #852 from Central Massachusetts
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2012
I have to share this tiny miracle from last night. Our 4yo son has been going through a hell of a time. He is our foster (soon to be adopted) son. He's had to endure a lot of trauma. It comes out in funny (and not so funny) ways. One major challenge he has is control. Most kids this age have this issue but for him it is magnified. And like most kids his age, bed time is a huge challenge. He goes to bed just fine but once there, "let the games begin!" This is where he likes to wield control. He will try to control everything about the routine but will do it in such a way that is, well, nasty and rude. He'll get out of bed EVERY night and come back downstairs within minutes if we don't sit with him until he falls asleep. A bed time story is a MUST.
Last night was no different except he was especially mean, whiny, and rude to me as we were going through his routine. Finally I'd had it with his antics and said he was not getting his story until he calmed down. He refused so I put his book on his bed, tucked him in, and said "I love you. Good night." and left the room. Well that didn't go over well! lol
He followed me downstairs. My husband and I watched the news as he stood just outside the livingroom screaming and demanding I read him a story. My husband told him if he could go upstairs and be quiet then he would get his story. After about 10 minutes of continued screaming/crying he all of a sudden just stopped. He turned on his heels and went upstairs.
I look at my husband and said, "either something just clicked or he's going to start trashing his room". After a few minutes I went upstairs. Our little terror had tucked himself in to bed, was turned over with his eyes closed!
I turned on his light, grabbed his story, and told him how proud I was that he was acting like such a big boy. We read his story and he fell asleep in my arms.
Last night was no different except he was especially mean, whiny, and rude to me as we were going through his routine. Finally I'd had it with his antics and said he was not getting his story until he calmed down. He refused so I put his book on his bed, tucked him in, and said "I love you. Good night." and left the room. Well that didn't go over well! lol
He followed me downstairs. My husband and I watched the news as he stood just outside the livingroom screaming and demanding I read him a story. My husband told him if he could go upstairs and be quiet then he would get his story. After about 10 minutes of continued screaming/crying he all of a sudden just stopped. He turned on his heels and went upstairs.
I look at my husband and said, "either something just clicked or he's going to start trashing his room". After a few minutes I went upstairs. Our little terror had tucked himself in to bed, was turned over with his eyes closed!
I turned on his light, grabbed his story, and told him how proud I was that he was acting like such a big boy. We read his story and he fell asleep in my arms.