To be pissed off with what MIL said to DS and DD

[Rollergirl1]

DS is nearly 6 (in a few weeks). He has always rocked himself to sleep. I have sought numerous advice and have always been told that is just a self soothing thing and he will grow out of it. MIL has never been happy about him doing it. DC's spent a week of the Easter holidays with PIL's. They do this regularly and am totally happy with them going there.

But DD said today that MIL said that DS shouldn't rock because it will give him brain damage. DS also said that she said that to him every night when he went to bed to stop him from doing it.

I am not happy with her saying this at all! This isn't right is it?

tools? Rocks!

oh god my nana told me if i did head stands or lay upside down off the couch I would get water on the brain where do they get these mad ideas

Hello OP

Two of our 3 dc have done this and similar, ds2 is 19 now and still shakes his head from side to side.
DD is 10 and goes to sleep on her knees, bum in the air, rocking herself to sleep.
We were also told nothing to worry about and they'd grow out of it.
Although ds2 hasn't I'm sure when he has a long term gf she will stop him

I rock myself to sleep and I'm 44! Have always done it and had a bald patch on my head as a baby! Tend to do it now as I drop off and again if I wake up early and try to go back to sleep! Havent had any problems although have to really concentrate not to do it if I'm not alone!

Mrsjayy, I was told if I kept swallowing orange pips I'd grow oranges inside my stomach!

I quite liked the idea though, so it had little effect

My sister rubs her feet together before she sleeps, I can only sleep on a cold pillow tucked in half - it's no different, just a little sleep ritual.

My mum wouldn't let us read in the car incase it made us sick! it never did

My DS still rocks himself to sleep and he's 9. He's done it since being a baby...I think it's quite a common thing.

I'm not a medical professional or anything but if rocking did cause brain damage I'm sure some symptoms would have appeared by now.

Anyway, it's unkind of her to say that to your DS and she shouldn't be doing it as it might worry him. Could you frame it in a 'Granny is being a bit silly saying that because it isn't true' (I'm sure you can think of a better way to phrase it) way?

I'm a former rocker! I used to roll my head from side to side. Did it well into my teens then just sort of stopped. Def no brain damage resulting.

Ahh yes I see now!
Anyway, what a strange woman! What a strange thing to say to a 6yo! I would let him know that people do worse things and don't end up with brain damage!

One of mine was a rocker... now an adult and just fine :)
And my mother.. my 67 yr old mother still goes to bed with the blankie she had from her own childhood.. can't sleep without it round her face She was a respectable teacher til a couple of years ago :)

I'm 47 and if I have trouble sleeping I still rock myself to sleep. Its soothing and it makes me sleepy. Your MIL is completely out of order for what she said.

wigglesrock I rub my feet together too when in tired or settling to sleep, it is weirdly comforting..
Op your mil is nuts to say that to a child and worse if she actually believes it.

• I was told if I kept swallowing orange pips I'd grow oranges inside my stomach!

I quite liked the idea though, so it had little effect *

worra I was also told the same about apple pips I must have a forest gping on because i swallowed them cos i thought I want to see if it works

She's being ridiculous! I am 43 and still take my "rag" to bed with me - I can't sleep without it

Many a joke has been made about my rag but I don't care, I love it :)

I rub my feet together or on the bed to get to sleep too!

Agree with others, OP, rocking is harmless but you should prob have a word with your MIL to ask her to stop saying such bonkers things to your dc.