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Pre-School and Daycare
Difficulty "bouncing back"
Good morning. Just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this with their child and any strategies you have used to help.
My son will be 3.5 at the end of the month and lately seems to having trouble "bouncing back" when he gets upset. Several times over the past few weeks I've picked him up from preschool and the teacher has said he started crying and just continued for a long time. When I asked him what happened he said he bit his finger (the first day) and then someone had stepped on his finger (the second time it happened). Yesterday at soccer he was playing fine but then crashed into another kid and they bumped heads (not very hard, the other kid didn't even seem to notice). He immediately started crying and wouldn't stop for 25 minutes. We finally just left because he wasn't playing, just crying.
I should add that sleeping has not been going all that well. He no longer naps and has gotten in the habit of coming into our bed every night (something I wish we had nipped in the bud but we didnt). He then wakes much eArlier than I think he otherwise would when my husband gets up for work. I know we should work on this but i know it will be a battle and at 2 am the thought of him waking the younger one just is not appealing).
Sorry, this got longer than I intended. Any words of wisdom?
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Re: Difficulty "bouncing back"
We find it easier to go into DD's room and stay with her there. Sometimes one of us ends up sleeping there if we can't stay awake long enough to slip out again. But I think it reinforces that she should stay in her room.
And amen to quiet time! DD still does it. She almost never falls asleep these days, but just having down time really helps her. I ask her to stay in bed, she can have 3 toys and a pile of books, and the room is dim. And yes, she will crash if she really needs it which is great.
I agree, he sounds tired. We do the quiet time thing, with the same routine as nap time, but with the understanding toys and books on bed are fine. It's about an hour. She rarely falls asleep now but used to more often.
During the day, if it is clear that she is not up for an activity, we cut it short. There is no reason to stay at a play date or the park or color if she isn't up for it, imo. Some days have more activities and take more out of her than others.
I try to anticipate big days, and pair them with earlier meals (that are healthier) and quiet/bed time. For example, yesterday we played hard in the morning then went to the library, had leftover roasted chicken and broccoli for lunch at 11:30, had a long story hour and quiet time, we had a low key afternoon then went to a family party for dinner. It was a pizza party, so I brought veggies and milk for my kids to balance it out. I have found the combo of food and sleep to be quite important for my kiddos. Nothing like too much sugar and too much fun to lead to crying.
If dd1 gets up at night, I give her a hug and put her on the potty and go cuddle her in her room. I try to ask her why she woke, usually it is a. she had to go potty or b. had a bad dream. If it is the former, i sing her the night night song and kiss her. If she had a bad dream, I ask what it was, and then quickly explain that she is safe, mommy and daddy, doggy and sister are all here, we all love her and there is nothing to fear. I cuddle her till she relaxes then depart.
GL!