My 8 Year Old Daughter

[Annette898]

My 8 yr old daughter is constently getting into things in the middle of the night. She gets into the refrigerator all most every night and eats everything and takes the food and drinks in her room whom she shares with her 17month old sister. She has been doing this for years now, my husband and I try to discipline her by taking her toys, tv,games ect... away from her. We at one point had her sit at the kitchen table with her head down for a little while and write I will not get into things in the middle of the night. We thought maybe she was eating dinner to early so we made our dinner time between 6 and 7 at night and then allow her to have a snack before bed. I am at my wits end and have tryed everything. I am so scared she is going to get into something that is going to hurt her or my other daughter. Please help me with this problem. My family is loosing sleep of this matter. We find our selves sleeping in front of her door to make sure she does not come out in the middle of the night. What can I do to make this stop? She has already been put on Adderoll, and Neuroton and it is doing nothing for her she still is as hyper as ever.... and gets up in the middle of the night.

[margypops]

I agree it can be expensive there are some good books on the internet, the Doctors site here on child behavior has quoted a couple he recommends,check it out.Other than backing off a bit and not making a big deal of the getting up,as she could be doing it to get attention., reading your Post the dinamics do seem to be she has emotional issues at feeling left out. Have you other Family or friends she can spend some time with,how is she at school if that is okay it tells you its from Home.

[Annette898]

We have asked her why she is doing it and she tells us that she feels like it? Or she is not the one that did it. She started this behavior before my other daughter was conceived. I have increased my time spent with her playing with her outside and inside. I also believe this is an emotional issue but I took her to a psychologist for about 1 year and she kept saying she does not know where this is coming from and that she will out grow it.... I want to take her back to counseling but I think I am going to research them before sending her. It has become very expensive to send her to them for them to tell me that she will out grow this.

[margypops]

Have you asked her Why.I wouldnt punish this behavior pattern but seek further counselling as to why she is doing it.Could she be seeking more attention , a new baby came along at around 6yr old ,does she feel left out, there is an emotional issue going on here and I dont think punishing will sove it.