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Parenting

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Really don't want.my child any more

92 replies

Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 09:11

I'm desperately trying to parent the child i have and not the child I want but I'm just not strong enough.

He's an absolute toad. I've posted many many threads about him. There's nothing I'm enjoying at the moment.

I need help or something but no one is listening. He's been in time out twice today and urinated purposefully both times.

I'm failing this child and just can't work out what to do with him

OP posts:
RUSU92 · 10/03/2020 09:12

Can you give a bit more info for anyone who hasn't read your other threads? How old is he, what's your living situation, do you have any support etc?

DropYourSword · 10/03/2020 09:12

How old is he? Do you have some family support.

WallEsfriend · 10/03/2020 09:13

Could you speak to your health visitor of GP?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

HavenDilemma · 10/03/2020 09:15

Omg the poor little soul. Please call your local council and ask for Social Services. They will help

namechangedforthis1122 · 10/03/2020 09:16

Is his dad around?

puds11 · 10/03/2020 09:19

I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time. How old is he? Are you able to send him to a nursery/crèche/childminder for a few hours to have a break?

On a side note, as annoying as it is, don’t comment on the urinating just clean it up. When there’s no reaction the action becomes boring. This is assuming he’s old enough to know what he’s doing.

Sugarfreejelly · 10/03/2020 09:26

I read your other recent thread and I didn’t comment as I’m not sure that I have enough experience to help. However, I don’t want to not answer her as you are clearly very down and feeling desperate.

I think you given some good advice on the other thread and it’s important that you seek support from health visitor, GP and nursery. I don’t think that you are a bad parent in any way shape or form. It’s clear that your child is very demanding and anybody will struggle to cope in the circumstances. First of all therefore, you need to give yourself a bit of a slack. Is there anybody you can ask for help to give you a break? You need a chance to recharge your batteries.

As others have said, I don’t think you should be so quick to dismiss potential SEN so push your GP for a referral and make a note or video challenging behaviours so that you can explain clearly what is happening.

However, this will take time so you need strategies in the interim to try and help you cope (as a minimum) but also find some joy in parenting. It might be worth looking at the therapeutic parenting Facebook page. This will have lots of advice on dealing with challenging behaviours in a positive way.

Make a list of people who you can ask for help so that you get a bit of respite. Ask for help. If people know you are struggling, they will want to help you wherever they can. Let the housework slide and just focus on essentials while you’re feeling like this.

Talk. To us, to friends, to your DH etc. Also, talk to your GP about how you are feeling, not just about your DC. It may be that a/he will suggest strategies (which may or may not include medication) for YOU. You matter and you need to look after your own health and well-being too.

Flowers
Sugarfreejelly · 10/03/2020 09:26

And you are not failing. You are trying your best. That’s all any of us do.

Ugzbugz · 10/03/2020 09:54

How old is he? My DC was a easy baby but I found the toddler years until about 3 and half very hard and I wasnt in a great place either and he used to wee on retaliation but I dont think its uncommon, ignore that and just change him as he wants a reaction, I would pick your battles and try not to scream and shout. My DC is the most laid back soul now and does not misbehave.

Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 10:21

I love the very bones of this child but his whole life has been more challenging that I can ever imagine.

He doesnt seem to respond to boundaries. He's rough with his brother (could probably call it violent). He finds following instructions difficult. He gets overwhelmed in simple situations such as supermarkets.

Preschool told me to lay down boundaries but I just don't know what I could change about what I do. I mostly stay calm, I stay consistent, I don't let him ever not do as he's told. I just keep telling him. Even something simple like 'get your shoes and we will go to the park' is met with massive resistance.

Husband is around but we dont have the easiest lifestyle. We both work (me evenings), he also studies and we have no family support.

Preschool have said until they witness behaviours their hands are tied. People keep saying do a diary but the idea of that seems like just pure effort.

I just want one easy week. Just a week off from him where I can relax. I'm constantly one egg shells with him

OP posts:
Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 10:21

Sorry, he's 3y2m

OP posts:
inwood · 10/03/2020 10:33

Can you afford to pursue a private diagnosis? It sounds like there is something going i that is unmanageable for you? How old is he / his brother?

inwood · 10/03/2020 10:34

Sorry just saw his age is he the older or younger?

LadyLuna16 · 10/03/2020 10:40

I wonder if you need to try and parent him differently? What stood out for me is his resistance to demands.

My daughter has ASD and is/was very demand resistant. We parent her differently. Lots of choices (always two choices you want him to do!) but then he feels in control rather than being told what to do.

So, does he want to go to the park? If you think he's likely to want to, then ask him "we've got some time, shall we go to the park or stay here and paint?", if he chooses park, then ask him what he might need for that, hopefully he'll realise shoes and then he is in control.

This may not help at all, but it might be worth looking at. Look at PDA

www.stephstwogirls.co.uk/2016/12/strategies-for-pda-pathological-demand.html

Let me know if this sounds familiar to your situation.

Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 10:41

His brother is 2y3m and I've had zero issues with him aside from the usual vegetable refusal, occasional poor sleep and a few tantrums. The usual expected, manageable stuff.

Maybe it's all created by me. I'm a mess trying to work out if it's my fault or if he just hates me. Preschool say he's fine

OP posts:
AnuvvaMuvva · 10/03/2020 10:43

People keep saying do a diary but the idea of that seems like just pure effort.

Everything seems overwhelming and daunting when you're depressed. But a diary would be manageable if you made it really easy for yourself. Keep a notebook hidden in the kitchen and add things as they happen. I would use code words though, so your DS didn't read negative things about himself.

Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 10:56

He can't read so that's fine.

Giving choices is fine but he seems to reject everything. Do you want red pants or green pants. No. Pants or socks first? No.

Sorry for being defeatist but this is my mood today.

Husband just asked if he had a good time at gymnastics. His answer was "I have to go upstairs"

OP posts:
LadyLuna16 · 10/03/2020 10:57

It's not your fault and he doesn't hate you.
I've just read your other thread. This has been there since birth is one way or another hasn't it?

If it's your fault then I guess the hope might be that you can do something about it? Change your parenting and he will be better?
But if he has SN then this is what you have to deal with?

Neither of these are strictly true. I don't know you obviously, but it seems to me most likely your child has some SN - as he gets older these will be taken more seriously by others, there seems to be a culture of denial and making parents feel they are seeing things.
But in the meantime you need to stop punishing yourself and try and work out what gives him (and you) some peace. And if it works then do it.

Good luck. I have been where you are. I know it's tough. Trust yourself and your instincts.

ElderAve · 10/03/2020 11:05

My Dad used to say it's a compliment when they play up for parents and not at pre-school, it means they're completely confident in your unconditional love.Smile

I can't pretend to have a magic wand but complete consistency is key. It helps for all children but for some is essential. DS needs to know what the consequences will be and you and DH need to mean what you say and follow through every single time. No "just this once", or "I'm too tired to deal with this now". Consequences don't have to be draconian (and they can be rewards) but it does need to be certain that they always happen.

BobGalaxy · 10/03/2020 11:05

I would definitely pursue the SN route. He sounds very much like DS diagnosed ASD at 7. It is not your parenting and you have not failed. Look at your younger DS. Some kids just do not behave/respond like NT kids because they are not. If you try and get into this mindset even pre-diagnosis, it will help you to be less hard on yourself Thanks

ElderAve · 10/03/2020 11:06

"Husband just asked if he had a good time at gymnastics. His answer was "I have to go upstairs""

That's completely fine. He didn't want to talk and told DH what he needed. Very mature behaviour IME.

Knocksomesense · 10/03/2020 11:12

@ElderAve this is good and bad. It makes me think that the issue is mine and mine only. I appreciate this because I wonder whether it's all in my head and I'm just being overly harsh on him. He's pretty clingy at times and I've taken to having to sit by his bed until he sleeps. We did 3 weeks of consistency, returning every five minutes to put him in to bed (think super nanny tehnique) but he escalated to kicking the door and throwing furniture. The distress was so extreme.

I've got both boys in front of the telly now. He needs to be screen free really but he doesn't play. He likes purposeful activity ie baking cakes or doing chores. But theres only so much purposeful activity one person can manage.

The idea that this is my life is so depressingly awful

OP posts:
PaperDreamsHoney · 10/03/2020 11:38

The "doesn't play" part and needing purposeful activity both scream ASD to me. I remember being where you are, thinking it was all my fault, and then it turned out DD has anxiety at the very least, probably ASD. A good few things made sense for me when I read more about ASD - especially that anxiety can manifest as aggression. It's also not at all uncommon for them to "hold it together" in front of other people, like a school/nursery, then explode at home because they're so stressed from keeping up the 'front' all day.

picklemewalnuts · 10/03/2020 11:47

I felt like this with DS1. He peed on my pillows, on the curtains, in his book box, and dropped my watch in the toilet. After having been told off. It got so I'd shut all the doors (he couldn't do the knobs) before telling him off.

Hang in there! DS grew into a much easier teen than everyone else's, and is a truly delightful young man now. Got a good job and everything.

Hang in there.

ElderAve · 10/03/2020 11:49

Yes, DS2 used to go and poo behind the sofa to let us he was cross with us. He seems fairly well balanced with a good job now.

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