Did you see that sweet little cherub-faced child I spoke of last time? His head started spinning on me yesterday. It was frightful. We had our first big out-of-control tantrum and by the end we were both crying.(No, I mean like a, "Call in the Doctor" kinda ordeal.)
We had a busy day on Sunday, so we got an early start. I guess his exhaustion had been mounting over the weekend because naps were missed and he had some late nights with dad while mommy was out with friends Friday and Saturday. Rare occasion, trust me.
So he fell asleep in the car on the way home. It was late afternoon and things got crazy in the blink of an eye. He was such a wild animal to get out, I had to enlist the help of MMA, because I feared for my safety, and his. MMA had him in the football hold and I remember seeing little feet and arms going in every direction. 35 pounds of flailing boy is a force to be reckoned with.
We put him to bed where he proceeded to scream, jump and claw like a trapped fox. I am sure the neighbors must have thought we were skinning him. His behaviour was scary and I had a sinking feeling it was going to get worse before it got better.
So he had the meltdown of his life while running around his room pushing over furniture and toys, pounding on his chest...he even peed in his pants! It was surreal, creepy, manic. I think I saw some foam forming at the corners of his lips.
Realizing that the 200 lb dresser is not bolted to the wall, I was afraid to leave him.
These are things he actually said...
"Mommy, what's happening to me?"
["You have been possessed by an evil-spirit, my child."]
Mommy, I am scared! Make it stop!
["I'm not you're mommy, I'm Anthony's mommy. Where is he?"]
"Why am I shaking like this? It won't stop."
[Will the sign of the cross burn him? "The power of Christ compels you."]
"Help me Mommy! Make it stop!"
I jest now, but the tears were welling up at the sight of my little guy taken over by this horrible monster.
Finally, in exhaustion, he gave in to being changed and rocked and the slow deep breathing came over him. Then, like he had was waking from a bad dream, he turned to me and said, "Mommy, what was that?" And a few moments later he was asking for food and smiling that sweet smile all over again.
Holy Hell, ladies, what was that??? Experienced moms of the world, don't forsake me now.
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12 comments:
OH MOM, first let me say it is fantastic that he knew he wasn't acting right and couldn't change his body at that time. I have a kids book (I have to find it) about they get that way and how they feel when they do it and how to calm down (it is a kids book not a parents book -but helps for both) I was thinking about it the whole time I was reading your post. I feel so bad for you. In our house we try to curb the tantrums before they get out of control (because that really is what happens, they lose control and are too young to really get it back) but nothing works 100% of the time and we have blow outs too. I feel so bad for you! When my youngest first starts to go off, I kneel down, hold her shoulders (kindly) look in the eye and say "wait, hold on, look at me, lets talk" it is starting to work but I have been doing that for a year now.
We have recently experienced some similar tantrums. I'm confused as well, but I just think it's what you said - exhaustion. I think part of it is frustration over not being able to control their emotions and THAT makes them angry as well. They're kind of in between ages where they THINK and KNOW they should control themselves, but they're still young enough where they CAN'T all the time. We've had a couple of pee pee instances ourselves. :) I have found, so far, the best time to actually step in is when I see that his anger has turned to helplessness. When he goes from screaming to crying...or screaming to saying "I can't stop"...then I step in and soothe. Good luck!
I remember my oldest having some pretty bad tantrums. He would be out of control with the hollering and crying to the point that if I was trying to talk to him, I had to raise my voice to a level that those in a neighboring state could hear. I think they are out of control of their emotions? Don't know how to handle it? My oldest still has a temper. But can handle it better. And never underestimate a tired kid. Or adult for that matter. I am crazy scary when I am functioning on very little sleep. I did start praying about how to handle my oldest's yelling fits. Me hollering back wasn't getting us anywhere fast. It helped and put us on the road to recovery. I managed to keep my cool when he was losing his.
Oh my goodness, that sounds awful! I am so glad that is behind you, and I really hope it will not happen again.
I'm sorry but I did have to laugh.. I know it wasn't funny at the time, but the way you described it, hilarious. I have been there. Especially with my youngest son who is now 8.. I would send him to his room but he would start ripping his bed apart, hitting things, screaming..etc. I did find with him it's usually nutrition, if he's had too many carbs and sugar.. but lack of sleep doesn't help either.
ps. We tried to come up with solutions but didn't do very well. Trying not to let him get to that point is the best but I have to laugh thinking about it now. My husband would be at such a loss at what to do he would go in his room and start screaming and tearing things up. My son would just stop and stare at him. Then I would have 2 crazy people on my hands.
I got it. Sometimes I'm a bombaloo
http://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Im-Bombaloo-Rachel-Vail/dp/0439087554
I guess now is a good time to tell you that I am a werewolf. I'm surprised you haven't noticed by now. What you witnessed yesterday was just our little guy coming in to his own.
Oh my gosh, scary, but so funny the way you told the story. So great he noticed a difference in himself!!!!!
My oldest had tantrums for years! I never did figure out a good solution. She grew out of them when she was about 6 or 7... crazy!!!
Poor little guy - sounds like he doesn't know how to handle his emotions yet.
This was all after our CB date, huh? You had quite a day!
Good thing he's only 35 lbs! I'm sorry you all had to go through this. I hope it doesn't happen again.
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