Help!! Behavior problems!!
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| Tue, 11-14-2006 - 3:00pm |
I know, I know. Behavior problems are par for the course, especially with 3 year olds. But I'm at the end of my rope. Does anyone else have issues with their little darlings throwing things?? DS throws anything he can get his hands on. Sometimes it's because he's mad, but most of the time it's just for no good reason. He has destroyed all my precious, sentimental things I have put in our dining room (launched balls over the baby gate on the table and into the china cabinet). He's constantly throwing toys and shoes all over the place. He's started throwing things at his baby brother (7mo.), which I will not tolerate, but I don't know how to prevent. Time outs have no effect. Putting him in his room upsets him, but only until he gets to come back out, then he's back at it. Taking away toys, even his beloved cars, doens't bother him a bit. I don't know how to curb this.
Today we went to the doctors office to get our flu shots and without any type of warning or provocation, he threw a hot wheels car over the counter and hit a nurse who was working a computer and didn't even see it coming. I was mortified.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get him to stop throwing things???? I'm sick and tired of everything getting broken and more importantly, I'm terrified he's going to seriously injure the baby or someone else.
Thanks!
Trish
Aidan, 3, PDD
Chase, 7 mo.

My DS was uncontrollable at times, around that age. It was scary. He would tear up a room if left in timeout.
I don't know how I came up with this, but I would hold him a protective hold and look him in the eyes. He really hated it and I would tell him quietly that I would hold him like that again if he started throwing things. Sometimes, he'd start right back up as soon as I turned him loose. Then, I'd do the hold again.
I would say that mostly fixed the throwing things. I probably had to do that for a few months to train him.
He's almost 8 now. He still has problems with aggression (at times), but he doesn't throw stuff around the house and I can put him in his room for a timeout without him tearing everything apart. (don't read my post about him throwing a book at a kid at school, LOL)
Your son might have some social jealousy about his brother.
oh ((((Trish))))) I don't have any wise wisdom for ya.
Hi Trish:
I had similar issues with my son... He was 3 1/2 when I had my second and to reduce the stress and trauma on everyone when he behaved that way I pulled a high chair into the middle of the kitchen and strapped him in. He kicked, screamed and cried, but I didn't get hurt, he didn't hurt himself or anyone else. I continue to do that, except now that he is 8, he just sits on a chair in the kitchen for a timeout, depending on the severity of his "meltdown". For me, holding him in a protective way was tiring and stressful, and sometimes one or both of us would get hurt because of his fighting it... Fast foward to my younger son who is just over 4 and I'm at a loss... I no longer have high chairs or booster seats. I resorted to removing his car seat from the car and strapping him in it. I put it up against a wall, so it wouldn't tip backwards, but he's a brute and was able to stand up still strapped to the seat! Needless to say, he's giving me more of a run for my money than expected!
I had early intervention in and out of my home for 2 years working with my son, and they approved of the use of the high chair for behavior management, even though I know some people will totally disagree with it. The funny thing... until I read your post, I forgot about how "difficult" he used to be at my younger sons age... Nathan makes Dominic (and all his issues) look like a walk in the park... must be the flourescent orange hair Nate was born with!!!
Good luck.
Nicole
mom 2 to healthy, intact boys!