ugh

[gazerwolf]

Benjamin threw a fit today on the way to taking the other two boys to the bus stop.

Apparently he didn't like the fact that Mikey got ahead of him on the sidewalk...

Lately he's been doing that a lot...getting upset if he isn't first.

I must admit that usually I let it go...but this morning my head was already hurting so I wasn't going to put up with it.

I walked on to the corner with Jake and told him to come on.

He didn't...kept throwing the fit.

I walked back to him and went down to his eye level and told him he needed to come on and walk with me or I would have to carry him. (He generally dislikes being carried anymore)

Fit continued.

I picked him up. He went ballistic.

Kicking, screaming, the whole nine yards.

I get him across the street to the bus stop and set him down...he is still screaming.

I get down to his eye level again and tell him to stop screaming or he will be made to sit on the little garden wall behind him.

Screaming continues.

I pick him up and put him sitting on the wall.

Screaming continues. I get to his eye level again  and tell him that when he is quiet he can get up.

Doesn't happen right away.

Kids are crowded around us now wondering what happened..(he's normally very cheerful at the bus stop so they were concerned) I explained about Mikey being first..(meanwhile Ben has stopped screaming and is now only ocassionally screaming No at me when I say he can get up if he wants to)

Bus comes.

Screaming starts again...

I pick him up so we can wave bye.. still screaming. I set him down (lately he doesn't want me to carry him at the bus stop)...still screaming.

Bus leaves (he did wave bye while screaming)

We start to walk towards house (still screaming)

We get across the street. (can't remember if I carried him or not...don't think I did)  (Screaming stops somewhere in here) he stops walking after a few steps on the other side and apparently wants to go back to the bus stop to play...I of course tell him that he can't because it is time to go home.

Screaming resumes.

I just pick him up this time...no warnings, no alternatives..

Walk home with him kicking my ribs all the way.

Go in. Lay him on the couch, take his shoes and socks off, take his jacket off (he continues screaming the entire time)

I put a blanket on him and tell him he now has to take an early nap for throwing a fit...I know I shouldn't use nap time as punishment...but he obviously needed a nap at that point...

He screamed for a good 20 minutes more and then got quiet...with the occasional screamed NO when I told him to sleep.

He went to sleep after about 10-15 minutes of that.

I expect that he didn't sleep well last night and thus is cranky... he should be his usual sweet self when he wakes up for school this afternoon. (I hope)

Me...I need something for my head...(and a bit for my ribs)

I've never seen him throw a fit this bad or this long.

Comments

[stickmaker.livejournal.com]

"Usual sweet self"?!

I'm kidding, of course. He's a good boy, and pretty bright. Just too spirited at times.

In the wild, boys his age would have already left the pack or been chased off by their mothers, and living on their own. So all his instincts are telling him he needs to be independent and master of his own fate, while society is still forcing him to live with his parents. It's an unnatural condition. :-^)

[gazerwolf.livejournal.com]

Just for that I'm gonna let him sit in the chair next to you all night next time you are at gaming. 8->

[rosepurr.livejournal.com]

Poor Gazer! You are such a patient parent.

[gazerwolf.livejournal.com]

Not always.. I yell more than I should.

[rosepurr.livejournal.com]

Overall, you're still an excellent dad.

[gazerwolf.livejournal.com]

You just say that so you can continue handing them back to me. 8->

[rosepurr.livejournal.com]

It's a testament to you and starsongky that I want to be around your children to begin with. :) I think I'd get in trouble if I didn't return them!

[starfallz.livejournal.com]

Aw, I hope he wakes up in a better mood!

[gazerwolf.livejournal.com]

He did.

Still wanted to be TOO independant but he at least listened to me and whined instead of screaming.

[scott644.livejournal.com]

Natural for kids to test their limits, and to be reassured when proper parents enforce them. Just like what you did there. I suspect you're right about the needing a rest bit. Also, don't be surprised if he pops a mild fever and hits a growth spurt the next couple days.

[r-smith0.livejournal.com]

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Thank you for your time, and stay frosty. :)