article on bolters

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
article on bolters
8
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 4:01pm

I thought this was topical in light of the Benjy Heil tragedy.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 6:27pm

You know Paula reading that article it makes me kind of wonder if that boy who drowned in the neighbors pool not too far from me was an un dx aspie from the ways the articles portrayed him.

His mother supposedly had to block and lock doors to keep this kid in place. Ands now of course you have our legistlator trying to make new laws and regs over pools.

Rina

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2007
Fri, 06-22-2007 - 12:10am

I thought that was a very well written article! I wish I could send it to my local paper! Maybe some parents around here would know that there are ways of dealing with that type of situation. When I read about your son climbing onto the shelves and tunneling behind the cereal boxes, I thought of my son. He frequently tries to get into small spaces like that! Under my dh's desk at home, under the bagstand at the checkout at the grocery, on clothing shelves at walmart, the list goes on! I too have to lock all doors to keep my son in check. We recently purchased a pool, so I simultaneously purchased window and door alarms! They let me know if a door or window is opened and is VERY high pitched and loud, so it pretty much stops him in his tracks. But if he DID get out, he wouldnt get far before I caught him cuz the alarm notifies me he has gone out. You can buy these at walmart or home depot and they are relatively low cost. AND...they turn on and off INSIDE the battery compartment, so the on/off switch isnt immediately accessible! I armed these little buggers when my son wasn't in the room so he wouldn't know how i turned them on or off, that way he wouldn't disarm them. The door alarm has a 4-digit code that you arm/disarm it with. I can tell you I sleep MUCH better at night!

HTH, Jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2006
Fri, 06-22-2007 - 12:26pm

Paula,

Great article! I'm going to forward it to my friends and family.

My almost 3 year old DD is a "Bolter" and it has been our greatest challenge. She tries to run off almost everywhere we go. Even in other people's houses and yards she never stops moving and exploring. We live in a condo complex with wide open spaces for her to run around, but nothing is fenced in (except the pool, THANK GOODNESS!!!) I am constantly chasing her and trying to keep her out of danger. She'll only hold my hand for a little while and goes into sensory overload very quickly. Lately, I've been somewhat successful at keeping her out of the street. I am afraid to take her out of the shopping cart in stores b/c I just know it would result in disaster. I envy mothers who can let their toddlers free in the store where I work.

I am conscidering using a harness or leash...I actually have one somewhere in the house but I can't find it. My sister used it with her kids. I'm just having emotional issues with the idea of using it. I guess I'm just hesitant b/c of DD's "autism" and the conotations associated with "leashes". However, I would never criticize anyone else for using one with their child. Maybe the "backpack" style would make me more comfortable.

Anyway, your article has many smart, practical ideas. I will keep them in mind.

BTW, I have also been wondering if that little boy who drowned had ASD. It's so sad.

Dizzy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 2:17pm

It

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 2:22pm

I am guessing you haven't read Newsday today or watched the local news lately, have you?

But i think sometimes politicans think they canjust legislate everything to make things better. But then where does human common sense come into play and Just plan taking responsiblities for ones self and your family?

I know some kids just can't be easy but i don't know.

Rina

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 2:24pm

Thanks Jen,


I actually don't want it published anywhere, I'd rather retain the copyright. i.e. keep it in the public domain.


Those alarms are a great deterrent for our kids, because the noise is so compellingly awful! Trigger it once, and they usually don't try it again.


I used to arm the house alarm when

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 2:35pm

OMG!


I had not seen that story. (I spen a lot of time in la-la land, and the news is slow to reach me there). Trust me to open my big mouth at exactly the wrong time!


JIC any of you are curious, this is what happened here on Friday:

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Sat, 06-23-2007 - 10:22pm

HaHa.. Okay i can understand there are days where I don't see a nes cast for almost a week. i usually ty to read the newspaper though every day to relax. But i tend to miss articles but this one was not to be missed.

But yeah it is all in the timing Paula.

Rina