*SIGH* Rigid Kids

[MicheleB]

I know many of you here relate, so I wanted to decompress....

Such a little thing, yet so typical of many things in our lives with my 9yo ds. He was sick with a stomach bug and wanted orange juice for when he felt better. I have been buying the frozen concentrate because we don't drink a lot of OJ and it seems when I buy the jugs of it, it goes too fast.

So tonight, ds feels better and wants some OJ. I said, "I'll make some up for you." Thus began the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth....

Ds: "I HATE that kind of OJ. You KNOW I HATE that kind of OJ. It's awful. It's chunky. IT doesn't taste right...." on and on and on and on and on.

Apparently, he at some time drank it before it had all melted and blended in with the water.

And I know he wasn't feeling the best, even though he feels a lot better....

But still. Nothing is easy, you know? Just one of many tips of the iceberg (ok, I probably just spelled that wrong!). Sometimes it feels like you're waiting for this kid to "outgrow" all these quirks, but then you know he's not going to without therapy and such. And you realize he's 9 and crying about things that don't even phase his little brother anymore.....

*SIGH*

[Twinmom]

BTDT, I'm so sorry. There is nothing good to say about it, it stinks for Momma! Decompress here all you want, we can relate! I'd tell you stories about DD's rigidity, but I'm sure they'd all be like repeats for you. I've heard the orange juice thing WAY too many times! ;)

Hang in there...you're doing great!

[Cadam]

I so understand! My nieces came to stay for a few days and I realized that my 5yo niece could dry herself and put on PJ's after a bath. My 7yo can't do that because she is afraid of getting the PJ's wet.

If we do something one way it must always always be done that way and then she will all of a sudden decide she doesn't like one of the foods that she use to like. Tantrum and screaming and "you know I hate that, I have always hated that....!!" Never-mind that she ate it just fine 2 days ago. :glare: I dare you to try and change the color of plate that she uses. I only have two of them and the few times I didn't have one clean were major meltdowns. :001_huh:

Yep, I know how you feel! Vent away - It's a crazy life.

[MicheleB]

I'll tell ya', sometimes I think maybe he has ODD! And maybe he does. I just feel like we're "fighting" about so much and I give in. But I give in because I often realize my expectations of him are what I expect of a typical 9yo and he isn't a typical 9yo. But still.... sheesh....

I get so worried about the other three who don't have these issues. They think ds is "spoiled" and gets his own way and such. I see how they can feel that way and I've explained it some to them, but for a kid, it's hard to grasp. KWIM?

Sometimes I think, I wish I could fast forward 10 years and see that ds *has* become a productive member of society who *can* change the laundry over without melting down because the clothes in the washer are "wet and crunchy"; who can change the litter box; who can dump garbage without worrying about it touching him; not have to wear his father's size 10 shoes because he doesn't like tight shoes! And so forth....

And maybe some day MY memory will be as good as his! Then I'll remember what I said to him and won't be surprised when he says, "But you SAID..."

I know this will get better. Right? Right? :D Hopefully the OT evaluation this month will help and give me some better coping skills (and ds too!).

[Cadam]

Michele,

If he hasn't had OT yet that should help. We are still sort of at the beginning of this journey. We had 8 sessions of OT and then switched insurance. It has been 6 months since since we had it and we go back today. :D

In the meantime I took dd back to the developmental pediatrician and although she doesn't have a specific behavioral dx (no ADHD, or ASD or PDD.....) she was put on a medication. That was a month ago and I am seeing progress. It has calmed some of her anxiety and she isn't pulling out her hair as much. She is dealing with frustration a little better. It sure was scary to put a 6yo on medication but it may be the thing that helps our family function again.

Brain chemical imbalances that cause depression run in my family so I don't know why it surprises me that one of my kids needs a med that supplements their brain chemistry.

My hope is that the combination of OT, medication, family therapy and focused parenting will help our family function and my little girl be the person she really is under all of these "issues" and disabilities. I see it breaking through and I hope that you will see that soon as well. Blessings on your evaluation. They are very eye opening!

[tonygirl]

:willy_nilly: oh those rigid stories I relate tooo well:lol::grouphug: