Monday, October 15, 2007

In Need of Advice

I have heard that schizophrenics often behave like toddlers, but my toddler is behaving like a schizophrenic...and it would be unethical to medicate him! Harry is 3.5 and goes from being a perfect angel and model human one minute, to a deranged freak the next!
He started preschool FT after Labor Day, and is expecting a baby sister, which he is looking forward to, so these could be stressors. I just can't figure out what is going on in his head. He cries at the drop of a hat for no reason. Saturday he took off running through IKEA screaming "No!!!!" What to do, what to do???

Half of me was impressed with his running, and his ability to avoid pedestrians. The other half was thinking "What the *&%$?!" He's normally a great kid, and a happy kid. Has anyone experienced similar behavior? How was it handled?

IKEA may be a one time deal, but the overall crying-at-the-drop-of-a-hat is throwing me for a loop! And it can happen at any time. Any words of wisdom?

10 comments:

Crumbs said...

My husband thinks our 2 1/2 is Bi-Polar because of the same neurotic behavior. I close my eyes and say to myself "this is the terrible part of the twos/threes - this is normal."

No advice, just saying you're not alone. I then summon my anger/annoyance/fear that someone will call Child Protective Services/frustration/confusion and take it out in my run.

carla said...

amen crumbs.
my 2 yo LOST IT today in the Party Pig Superstore (first time there. never going back.) and when I whisked her to the car and buckled her into her seat she smiled at me and said:
THANK YOU!

ahhhh. if only we could get away with behaving that way sometimes.

C.

Kimberly said...

My kid has dimples. I try to remember them when they are not showing!
Nice to feel not alone!!! :-)

I mentioned my woes to 2 psychiatrists and a social worker today. The best I got was that elevator smile and sympathy as a fellow Taurus parent!

renae said...

Been there! My now 4 1/2 year old went through the exact same thing. The only thing not happening was his head wasn't spinning 360 degrees! I was terrified of what was going on with him, but fortunately, it turned out to be some crazy phase. It lasted for about 3 months off and on then just vanished. He is still a very strong willed kid but those tantrums are a thing of the past. Hang in there!!

Jumpin' On My Last Nerve said...

I know! I know! Harry is crying and screaming on my behalf because I have absolutely NO access to an IKEA store and am devastated by that. Thanks for projecting my pain Harry.

In all seriousness, my girls (twins) still have schizophrenic moments. I think it may just be their form of PMS.

channelmarker said...

Ahhhh, I know these moments so well. I'd bet my almost 3 year old son is the WORST of any!! I would seriously be questioning my parenting if it I didn't have two older boys who did nothing of the sort. But, saying that, having four boys total ( 17, 11 and 1), I know these unseemly things pass by quickly and are replaced by puberty related issues....oh, how I long for the days of toddler temper tantrum rather than adolescent additudes and pre-teen "know-it-all" views!! See what you have to look forward to?! ;)

Kimberly said...

Thanks for all of the comments. Crazy man has now taken to asking for a bath at 6:30 and voluntering goingto bed at 7. I think I am more freaked out by this!!!! I am convinced it is a chronic disease. As for the tantrums, I witneesed several at the pumpkin patch yetserday, mostly from freinds of his that I thought were ideal!

SeeMommyRunandBoxandCraft said...

I must have missed this post in the beginning. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Zayna is nearly 3.5 and I am losing my mind! I hate to admit it, but I am so glad to read these posts. I, too, was about to take her to a doc to see if she is bi-polar. Man oh man, some days are long. I open her door slowly to see who is behind the door smiling or screaming at me!!! And, of course, we all blame our parenting skills. And listen to the suggestions of our families and other mothers who look on in terror and question our choices.

Anonymous said...

My daughter screamed for the first four years of her life and now she is the image of calm and peace of mind. Better they get it out in the beginning, I say. Hang in there!

Kimberly said...

ANdrea-
I open the door carefully as well...and I am amazed every day when I find a happy, giggly, smiling little boy. You never know what will set him off.
I do hear 4 is better. I had heard 3.5, but then, apprently, found out they were lies. I guess it's like a marathon, when people yell "It's just around teh corner!" or "You're almost there!"