Meltdowns

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are out of control. Violent, trying to kick and head butt us. I know they are really hard for him especially. We are all really stressed out. They are happening several times a day. Tis the season..

I don't even know what I'm trying to say...I guess I just need to say it to anybody who understands it's not a "spoiled child" issue due to my weak parenting. I know it is harder for him, but I just want to cry sometimes.

Hang in there. It IS really hard. Here's hoping things ease up soon!

Put him in his room when he has them and close the door. Make his bedroom a safe place for his meltdowns so he isn't head butting you guys.

Just ideas
Maybe a soft bike helmet for safety reasons.


What DE-stresses do you have on hand? Each child is different some its tablets, play dough, music,
the point reward child before melt down but not after so you are not rewarding for meltdowns
things on hand for stressful situations.

I also have a distraction like TV, or a book on hand to calm after removal of some privileges.

Look at any object you need to put away or make safer.

Thanks, everyone

League_Girl, he also will self injure when he is having meltdowns. He will bang his head and punch himself. So, I don't like to leave him unattended.

cakedashdash, yes, maybe we need a soft helmet. He likes to squeeze one of those squeezie, stress balls, but it only really works toward the end of the meltdown. Once he is in a meltdown, that's it. We just all have to ride them out. Occasionally, when the meltdown is over something very specific (like not having exactly what he wanted for breakfast), he can be distracted with a tv show or my phone. But, even then, he will usually have another one soon after over something else. It's like he just has to get the meltdowns out. I wonder if one of those weighted blankets would work...

Fitzi

Weighted blankets were used at my child's school when first assessed at school. The weighted blankets didn't work for my child.
If your going to make sure its not too heavy that can be dangerous
and the blanket should always use for

I don't know if this will work with anyone else
I also with drew privileges and gave time outs for any violence
I also made sure my child knew violence is wrong even if your not feeling good
or are not getting what you want

Have you read The Explosive Child yet? The author has a good method that focuses on prevention. He also has a lot of free videos worth watching at http://www.livesinthebalance.org/walking-tour-parents

No, I have not read it. I will check it out, and the videos. Thanks so much.

The reason I thought of a weighted blanket is that he always wanted to be held tight when he was upset when he was younger, and now screams to be hugged at the end of a meltdown but does not want to be touched in the midst of it. I wondered if maybe he would be more open to an object that gives him that tight sensation. But, they are so expensive that I have been hesitant to buy one because it may not work.

He does not understand or respond to time outs. He tends to also only hear part of what we say, and it is so much worse when he is upset. But, drawing up privileges might work. In the past, he would earn time to play video games. What he earned, he would not lose, but he would not have as much time if he didn't earn points. Points would be earned for traveling to school without screaming and lying down on the sidewalk, etc. I should revisit that and add ideas like refraining from hitting or saying awful things when he is upset, etc. Thanks.