Please or to access all these features

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Adhd? How to address?

4 replies

DollyPollyLolly · 01/08/2020 19:24

Sorry in advance, this is a long one.

My sister and I were extremely close growing up, however we drifted when she met her ex and have only recently become close again after they split up. She has a 3 (almost 4) year old daughter.

In the past when DS has asked me to babysit, I've struggled with DN behaviour. She doesn't listen to anything or anyone, she will have a screaming fit when asked to do anything, my dogs are petrified of her and have to be kept away from her because she's grabbed at them and dived on them in the past, she's constantly diving on and off the furniture with no caution for whether she may hurt herself and as awful as it is to say, is just generally difficult. I've mentioned it in passing my DS but not wanting to fall out again, haven't pushed.

Last weekend DS asked if she could come over and stay the weekend with me and my DD6. I agreed as I thought it would be nice for the girls to spend some time together. It was absolute mayhem. I cooked a meal DS said that DN would eat, she took a single bite and didn't touch the rest, got up and left the table to play. I told DN she would need to return as our house rules are noone leaves the table until everyone is finished, she had a tantrum and DS said it was easier to leave her be so off she went whilst my DD ate her tea. DN then returned for dessert which DS gave happily, my DD raised that we only do dessert if you finish your meal, DS again said its easier to just let her be. There was the usual commotion of her trashing the toy room and refusing to tidy, trying to get to my dogs in a seperate room and having a fit when told no until DS all but demanded to take her in to see them and using my living room furniture as a trampoline.

Come bedtime, DN is put into the spare bed in my DDs room. For almost 20 minutes she was up and down, throwing things at my DD to wake her up, she ripped DDs heads of her favourite squishy toys and was repeatedly shouting to DS that she needed to go to bed or she won't sleep. I told DS she needed to do something as it wasn't fair on my DD. She moved her into the spare room where she was sleeping and it continued with DS telling her to go to sleep and her causing mayhem.

So my question is, what do I do next time this is suggested? I've tried putting it off but she just asks a few days later. I have worked with children with Adhd in the past and I honestly think it's a possibility, but I don't want to argue with DS if I suggest it.

I love DN so much but I honestly cannot deal with her behaviour and I'm now dreading the next time I'm asked to babysit.

OP posts:
DollyPollyLolly · 02/08/2020 16:49

Anyone? Confused

OP posts:
Mumoftwo1and6 · 02/08/2020 22:09

It’s a tough one. I don’t think you should mention any possibility of ADHD or even bring up her behaviour unless your sister starts the conversation. Sounds as though your sister is coping by giving in and, as her mother, that is her choice. However, I do think you have the right to put a stop to the sleepovers. Maybe next time just say that you would love to see them but sleeping over was a bit much so maybe they could just come for tea. Your poor sister is probably desperate for some adult interaction. Also, worth noting, my nephew was always allowed to run round the room eating all the food with his hands at 3/4 year old. He used to sit under the table, throw stuff around and refuse to eat. Parents never intervened and it used to drive me mad as I always made mine sit and eat and use a knife and fork. Now 6, he sits and eats better than my two Confused. She may just be developing/pushing the boundaries.

DollyPollyLolly · 02/08/2020 23:09

Thank you so much for responding and giving advice.

A part of me doesn't want to address it but then another part of me thinks, if the shoe was on the other foot, she wouldn't think twice of mentioning it to me.

I feel awful refusing in future as I love them both dearly, as does my DD. I just don't think I have the patience for it again.

OP posts:
ZooKeeper19 · 03/08/2020 11:48

@DollyPollyLolly oh man this sounds really difficult. Would it be an option to meet at your DS place and that way you can leave whenever you want. If she suggests a sleepover still better her place trashed than yours?

I would be very firm with the dogs, they are not toys for DN to mistreat, and they will rightfully defend themselves (and will your DS be OK with rushing to A&E with a dog bite?).

Overall I see what you mean about ADHD but it can be million other things too. Nowadays everyone thinks a misbehaving kid must have a condition rather than just no boundaries (before someone crucifies me it's ASD household here speaking).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page