Anxiety over new pajamas
Find a Conversation
| Tue, 11-01-2005 - 1:53am |
I just wanted to share a story about my almost-8 year old. His regular pajamas were in the dryer, so I laid out some long sleeved/ long pants polka dot ones that he has never worn. His first reaction was to throw them on the floor and sulk a bit. After a while, he told me his stomach hurt, which I recognize as a sign of anxiety. After a few minutes, he said, "Mom, there is something I want to tell you, but I can't say it." I sat near him and tried to coax it out of him.
Well, after about ten minutes of trying to work out what was bothering him, 20-questions style, I finally found out that he WANTED to wear the new pajamas because he liked the polka dot print, BUT at the same time he did NOT want to wear them because long sleeves/pants bother him. The poor little guy was torn up about this dilemma, and was so stuck that he was getting a stomach ache and was unable to even verbalize what was going on. (And he's about as "verbal" as you can get!) Wow!
Eventually he realized that he could put them on and then, if they were not comfortable, he could take them off and wear his other pajamas (which were dry by this time.) So, he put them on. He looked soooo cute in them, I just wanted to give him a hug that lasted forever.
It's such a tiny little thing, which pajamas to wear, but it sure was a big thing for him. Sigh. Well, time to go kiss both boys goodnight (they're asleep.)
Evelyn
David (8 next month), Nathan, 4

Evelyn,
It was great that he coudl tell you eventually. The poor guy! what a dilemma!
I totally relate,m but for a slightly different reason: I am packaging a whole bunch of brand new PJs to give to Cousin Laura. Siobhan was in nightgowns all summer, and I bought her several pairs of nice jammies for wintertime, thinking they would be warmer and more comfortable for her. (I used to hate that nightgown twisted around the body thing).
So I put her in a nice new pair, and send her off to bed happy. At 3am I was woken by hysterical crying: She had a nightmare and woke. She dreamed a clown was trying to eat her belly. Next night: same thing. This went on for several weeks. She didn't wake every night, but enough that we knew something wasn't quite right. Anyhoo. we eventually worked out that if she wore PJs, she had nightmares, usually involving her belly (which I guess becomes exposed as she moves about). If she wears a nightgown, she sleeps through the night, and dreams pleasant dream.
So the jammies are off to Cousin Laura, and I plan to shop for new nightgowns. As you say, whoda thunk something so insignificant could cause such big problems?
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Yes, jammies are a big thing!! Nathan loves to wear winter jammies...long pants, long sleeves. He has this thing about protecting his skin. AND the jammies have to be BLUE. Do you know how many stores I went to, to find blue jammies in his size!!???
Well, I did find them. And he's happy! WHEW!!
Michelle