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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
3 1/2 year old
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
3 1/2 year old
by steph, Oct 07, 2000 12:00AM
I am going through a divorce.I work nights. My mother takes care of my children while I work. My son has been showing alot of anger lately. He won't sleep in his own bed anymore. If he goes to sleep in his own bed, which is rare, he wakes up crying and will cry until his grandmother lets him sleep with her. This has been going on for 3 months now. Even if I am home he does this.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Oct 08, 2000 12:00AM
, Oct 08, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Steph,
You can probably see that your son is under stress in relation to family developments. His behavior is not surprising in light of this. However, in the long run it's best that he fall asleep in his own bed and remain there throughout the night.
In order to accomplish this, you'll have to stop rewarding his insistence that he sleep with you or his grandmother. This invites him to continue doing the same thing. You'll need to bite the bullet for a while, be patient with the crying and upset, but be persistent in your decision for him to stay in his own bed.
Through all this, be sure to make his own bed and room as inviting as is reasonable. Do not, though, use television as a way to keep him interested in his room. Talk with him about what measures would help.
You can probably see that your son is under stress in relation to family developments. His behavior is not surprising in light of this. However, in the long run it's best that he fall asleep in his own bed and remain there throughout the night.
In order to accomplish this, you'll have to stop rewarding his insistence that he sleep with you or his grandmother. This invites him to continue doing the same thing. You'll need to bite the bullet for a while, be patient with the crying and upset, but be persistent in your decision for him to stay in his own bed.
Through all this, be sure to make his own bed and room as inviting as is reasonable. Do not, though, use television as a way to keep him interested in his room. Talk with him about what measures would help.
Member Comments (2)
by Amy, Oct 07, 2000 12:00AM
Going through a divorce is very tough on a child. They hear everything that is said, even if you don'ty think they are listening. I would say to make sure the child understands it is not his/her fault, have some time alone with the child , both parents. Don't talk bad about the other parent, it will stress them out. IMHO
