Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is DP BU. Am I? Would SS need calling?

47 replies

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 20:30

NC because Im a wuss.

DP and I together for many years, we have two children one is 8 one is 2 both have SN. The youngest health wise, the eldest has physical problems and is on the autistic spectrum but in main stream school.

The youngest wakes many many times a night to which I tend, and the eldest most nights to which DP sees to.

Life is generally a massive ball ache. Life sucks. Its really hard. The kids needs are very fucking hard. They are wonderful, get on great most of the time they are amusing, adorable and all the rest. But their needs, on top of the, generally being normal kids can be hard work.

The eldest tends to tantrum. These outbursts can last up to two hours. He argues, wont see different, cant be talked round, reasoned with or even comforted during these times nor building up to it.

So, 7.30am Saturday morning I ask my son to do something he doesnt want to do (i.e put trousers on not shorts as he's prone to cutting his arms and legs to shreds because he cant keep up right (symptomatic) and we're going out) he kicks off for a while, lovely screaming and shouting and I admit I shouted, not for long but I did.

Middady comes I offer to bake a cake, he helps. A bit later he comes in and asks if he can have cake. I say no, its not ready we're (his brother and I) and going in the garden. He miss hears me, and thinks I said 'lets have cake in the garden'. What follows is 2 long, fucking hours of him screaming, slamming, shouting, pulling, stamping, scaring his brother. 2 HOURS I try to calm it, try to calm his brother, try to sort it try to make him happy, (this isnt an NT tantrm) think of solutions) check his bother.
Finally distraction works.

Bed time (his dads been at work and gone away for the night) he kicks off again, he isnt tired, he doesnt want to sleep, he pulls his shelves downs etc etc etc, all the while Im trying to settle a tantruming tired 2 year old.

Then their Dad comes hime trip called short THANK GOD!!

And I half jokingly, yet half not! Say that Im worried next door will call SS (she's a child psychologist) and he tells me, "well, you need to stop shouting so much then." I look at him Confused and he says "well you do shout."

This, I will not deny. But a week before I gave the youngest to him in the morn, the youngest was whinging, 10 minutes in I heard DP bellow "What do you WANT?!" And the youngest cry. So I came down.

Tonight, I see to the youngest, he sees to the eldest the eldest tantrums a lovely 2 hour tantrum.

I deal with the baby, he deals with the eldest he's patient for the first half hour then raises his voice, just once. A bit down the line, he shouts. Then he ignores him.

Then I send him a text saying imagine that at 7.30 continous throughout the day withe a toddler in tow, then doing bed time alone then having your partner come home and listen to you retell in. In stead of offering support, saying I need to keep a lid on it.

He said thats MY words, of I feel SS might be called then I MUST have gone too far.

I said I did no worse than him, I have limits and need SUPPORT not criticism.

Do I need SS?

OP posts:
skaen · 14/07/2013 20:37

In your position I probably would be tempted to call SS. not because I have concerns about your parenting but because your life sounds really difficult and they may be able to help you with respite or extra support.

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 20:41

We're on the 'SN' waiting list as it were. Which is a 4 year waiting list for OT and a 6 month waiting list for physio.

Highly doubt SS would be able to fund us getting help any sooner.

I meant does it sound like SS should be called about us.

But I guess you think that would be a yes. Sad

OP posts:
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:41

i agree with Skaen you sound like you could really do with some professional support. Could you speak to your HV or GP? Or look on your local NHS website as a lot do support groups for people in a variety of situations. Our local surestart centres do seperate sessions for parents of kids with SN so they have support etc

gordyslovesheep · 14/07/2013 20:42

what Skaen said is what I DID - over a week ago with another referral from CAMHS ...still waiting for them to call

My eldest is a lot like that - she was leaning out of the window screaming 'call social services' for over an hour last week :( she is currently being assessed for ASD

I feel your pain so much Flowers no shame in asking for help xxxx

nennypops · 14/07/2013 20:44

SS should be doing a core assessment in relation to both children and you as carers, and producing care plans for both. I suggest you write to them tomorrow (it does need to be put in writing) asking for it.

MimsyBorogroves · 14/07/2013 20:45

It does sound like you need some help. SS may not get involved, but may facilitate a CAF which would help manage your needs as a family, possibly get support for you in place more quickly and give you a lead professional who becomes in charge of your case and managing the input of all professionals.

babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:46

I meant does it sound like SS should be called about us.

NO!!!! Have a Wine and take 5 to calm down hun

You are living in a very difficult situation and losing your rag is perfectly natural - you have had no support all day and if DC1 is borderline autistic then i am not in the least suprised at the tantrum over a change of bedroom routine or the rest and it sounds like you have dealt with it as best you can.

If you are worried about your neighbour and know she is a child psych then maybe you should try talking to her if you get a long and ask her if she could offer any advice on dealing with their issues or diffusing the stress you are suffering.

Your DP should have been more supportive when he got home, sit down when you are both calm and talk - do you have family near by who could take the kids for a couple of hours to give you a break- you sound like you could use it!

CabbageLooking · 14/07/2013 20:47

I would have shouted too. And I'm not a shouter. It sounds REALLY hard; few people wouldn't shout. I think the other posters just mean that in a difficult situation you should take all the help you can get. Your DP was BU but presumably because he was tired and stressed, just like you are. You don't sound like you FEEL on top of things so maybe babyhmummys suggestions could help.

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 20:47

Ive seen our GP, who shrugged his shoulders and said 'dont get your hopes up'. Ive seen the school several times and they want to help but say it'd be quicker via the GP (?)

Ive gone on forums (here) got tips, enquired about going private (hundreds and hundreds), bought books, weighted blankets, got tips, and we're doing exercises but it still has bad times. This is a bad couple of weeks.

The point of my OP was to see if IWABU or DP was though, hes now not here having himself a night off while I tend to whatever the fuck happens tonight with both children.

OP posts:
CloudsAndTrees · 14/07/2013 20:48

It doesn't sound to me like SS should be concerned in the sense you mean, but it does sound like you need more support, as anyone in your position would.

If SS ever were called on you, then the worst that would happen would be that you got support, but it's highly unlikely anyone would do that anyway.

IdreamofFairies · 14/07/2013 20:49

It may be worth talking to them yourself as Iwant said your life does sound difficult and stressful

they are sometimes able to get more help for the family they may and i stress may to able to shorten the list and little provide some sort of respite maybe a nursery place paid for by them for a few hours for your younger dc. i am sure a few hours off in the day could do you the world of good.

IdreamofFairies · 14/07/2013 20:50

sorry a little and provide

babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:53

Iwant speak to a different GP and do not take no for an answer, speak to your HV and the school and get them helping to grease wheels at the same time. The school will have access to Educational Officers who are set up to support you and DC at home and at school (my DSS is borderline autistic). They will be able to give supporting evidence to help your case and hopefully get you a bit of a jump up the waiting list. Please don't be afraid of SS, in 95% of cases their job is to help and support.

If you need any more info feel free to PM me

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 20:53

The little one cannot go to nursery, its out of the question at the moment.

You know, Im not looking forward to the summer holidays and Im not dreading the summer holidays. Im fearing them.

Im actually scared of my sons outbursts, I fear them. I dont fear me or my reactions as Im an adult and I may shout but Im in full control.
But I feat his outbursts because I dont know if they will last 2 minutes or two hours.

And when that happens 3 times a day its so painfully wearing.

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 14/07/2013 20:57

Wow - you and your DH sound like saints!!! I would be well and truly carted off to the funny farm by now - you need some external help and support. Absoutely contact SS and ask for demand some support.

Why is your DH getting a night off? Fuck that - I know he needs a break but you have this 24/7 YOU need a break too! I really would be phoning SS and making a big noise until you get some respite.

pleiadianpony · 14/07/2013 20:58

God, poor you. Don't be daft. You sound at the end of your ropes. Yes, shouting isn't an ideal way to manage but please don't forget you are a human being! I have read your post and I can't actually see any indication of abuse.

I'm not sure what support you are getting, if any at all. But you sure could do with some!

You are entitled to respite under the 'Short Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Act 2011' your local authority should be able to tell you how to access this. Look for a voluntary sector or charitable organisation or advocacy service in your area to help you get access if you are met with 'you are not eligible, you don't meet the criteria'

CAMHS, if it functions like the CAMHS service where i live may be able to offer you a tier 3 service. This is because your child has a diagnosis of asd and is doing things like having two hour tantrums and being destructive. They ought to be able to help you with developing some strategies for managing your sons behaviour.

If you live next door to a child psychologist and have any kind of friendly relationship, go round, say something like, 'look' i'm really aware that I shout at my kids, i'm actually at the end of my tether and don't know what to do' She should have plenty of knowledge about local services.

I hope you and your DH manage to get a break, some support and some quality time together sometime soon.

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 20:59

babyhummy 2 days after I got our (paediatric!) GP shoulder shrug, I saw another GP with the 'we will het help!' Attitude, and the second GP said, well he has done all he can, these are d people he wrote to I can do no more.

I called those people they said, 4 year waiting list. I called private Im told £400 for the first consultation and £75 an hour after that and it lasts months.

I went back to the school and they said their 3 local OT's have all just resigned.

But he will get an OT at secondary school. Thats in about 5 years.

I really believe me, have begged, demanded, asked and pleaded in every direction.

OP posts:
IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 21:04

Plied I didnt know that, thank you. Unfortunately there is absolutely no way of diagnosing him formerly unless I wait four years or find £400.

We dont have any money at all. Sad

We can save up but ironically the only way we could do that is from our youngest childs DLA and it just seems so wrong. He really needs that himself.

OP posts:
thispunderfullife · 14/07/2013 21:06

You poor thing you are amazing and full respect to you for coping. No, ss do not needed to be called on you. What about support through the statementing process? I'm guessing your eldest must have one, if so you have a right to be in regular contact with educational psychologists who could be supportive, surely?

thispunderfullife · 14/07/2013 21:09

You have the right to have him assesses for a statement by initiating it yourself, what are school doing to identify and support his sen???

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 21:10

Statementing process?

We see someone at school. A very old lady but a good listener and she has told us when he starts again in September that he can do this group thing for 10 minutes 3 times a week.

Honestly, I dont have much faith there.

OP posts:
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 21:10

Iwant ok so your GP's are a waste of space! Can you change to a different practice?

School need to get their Educational Psychologists involved not OT's. I have a friend who is senior in SS near me, and a cousin who is a Social Worker. If it helps you out at all I can ask them for what support could be availablle for you if you were to contact them for more assistance. But school and your GP can and should be doing a CAMHS referral for you

babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 21:11

statementing is about the Ed Psych and Welfare officers doing an SN assessment on your son at school so that he gets access to additional support within school if needed but would be a great thing to get in place as it will help with CAMHS

IWantToBeAtreee · 14/07/2013 21:18

Yes, yes, yes PLEASE ask the, babyhummy that would be really good. I really have asked in all directions, I spent a week on the phone trying to get help and hitting a wall in every way. In the end I bought books from Amazon, took a deep breath and told DP that we were going to have to just get on with it ourselves.

Definitely dont want to change GP's as the youngest has a long and complex health history for which we thankfully get great support with. I darent risk that.

OP posts:
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 21:22

have PM'd you hun.