DCs go to their Dad every other weekend for 2 nights. When they come back to me on the Sunday they are completely wired and worked up. This is often worse if they've spent a bit longer with him or if he's been impatient or shouted at them when they're there.
Part of it is that they're completely exhausted, which I think is down to emotional exhaustion as well as physical tiredness.
This time when they've come back, DD2 who is usually more clingy, is less clingy but has become completely inconsolable - sobbing and unwilling to let me comfort her. DD1 is very agitated, she seems completely hyped up, everything is happening a million miles an hour and she's bursting in to tears at the drop of a hat, throwing herself to the ground and being very rude and argumentative.
I know this isn't uncommon when children come back from the NRP, however I just don't know what to do to help them and they seem so distressed. I've tried calm activities like reading in low light when they first get back but they're too overexcited for that. I've tried letting them wear off some energy at the park but that doesn't make much difference. I've tried talking to DD1 (DD2 is too young) to ask her about her weekend in case she wants to talk about anything that bothered her. But nothing I do seems to help. They always sleep badly the first night back so the next day is awful too.
I know that as the RP, I am their safe place and if they have to hold emotions in all weekend they're with him, they explode out on me. It is hard, but I'm less worried about that than I am trying to make things better for them. I just want them to be happy and they seem so distressed at times. I'm at a loss.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?
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How to cope when DC come back from NRP?
4 replies
MummySharkDooDooDooDoo · 23/10/2018 21:45
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