Wondering if I need to get a timer!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Wondering if I need to get a timer!!
3
Fri, 09-30-2005 - 10:14pm

Nathan has been taking FOREVER to do EVERYTHING!!! Brushing his teeth has become a "routine". Look in mirror..stim. Get toothbrush wet, dry it off with towel. Stim.. Put toothpaste on brush, set it down. Stim..dry cup off with towel, fill cup with water. Wipe cup down AGAIN!! STIM....stim. Brush teeth, spit, wipe off mouth, rinse brush, wipe brush with towel. Drink water, swish in mouth, spit, drink rest of water in cup. DRY EVERYTHING DOWN WITH TOWEL!!!!! INCLUDING FAUCET!! HELLO!!??? This takes approx 20min.

I got tired just typing that.

But here's the problem...if I get a timer...he WILL WATCH IT !!! THE WHOLE TIME!!! Then, nothing will get done. Right now, I run back and forth pushing him, prompting him. He does do better if I stand right there the whole time....BUT I GOT THINGS TO DO!!!!!!!

He's never needed a timer, and I'm afraid that the buzzing noise will scare the crap out of him! That's all I need. For him to be afraid of ONE MORE THING!!!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 10-01-2005 - 9:45am

Michelle,

Timers rule our house. I don't know how we would funcion without them. Even the DOG jumps up to go to bed when that beeper goes off.

We have an electronic timer which beeps, not buzzes. It also has an electronic countdown, so you can see how much time you have left. DH has a fancy digital watch with multiple timers, so we can use it at the park, pool etc ("Five more minutes and we're leaving!" -*click*). They really have been a godsend for transitions.

Only downside: Peter has tried to turn it on *me* several times: "Five more minutes on the computer, Mom." *click* LOL)

I don't know if a timer would work for Nathan's particular issue, or if he would get too caught up in the timer itself. It sounds like it may be worth a try.

Sorry to be so little help.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Sat, 10-01-2005 - 1:38pm

Thanks Paula. This morning...Saturday....Nathan had NO PROBLEM brushing his teeth. Now I'm wondering if it's because it's not a school day, or maybe because on school days he has to get done by a certain time. Weekends are more relaxed, and we had nothing planned for today. Maybe the idea of having to hurry up stresses him. I'll have to watch him tomorrow too and see what happens. Sometimes it's so hard to tell with him. I'll have to keep the timer idea in mind though.

Michelle

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Sat, 10-01-2005 - 5:36pm

In my experience...which is unique, because my child is definitely one in 6 billion...timers are totally useless. That's just us, though. I find that if he is able to do what he needs to do, then a timer is just a distraction. If he is *not* able to do what he needs to do, then he also is *not* able to use the timer effectively.

I have to say, too, that I would LOVE it if David would clean something. His idea of "cleaning" is to lightly smear the blobs of fallen toothpaste with whatever nasty thing is at the top of the dirty laundry basket and then toss it down the stairs. LOL!

Evelyn