So ... give me some good advice here.
DS is really struggling with jealousy. He always has, and it's focused on my attention. You know that I work, and DH stays at home which I know has a lot to do with it.
Whenever I show attention to another child (especially a younger child), DS exhibits jealous and aggressive behavior. It first started when he was about 2, and I thought he'd grow out of it. We'd redirect, admonish etc. He's 4 now, and the problem is not only still occurring, but also getting worse.
For example, on Christmas day we invited a friend of ours over for supper and she brought her 1-yr old. If I showed any interest in the baby, DS would exhibit mild aggression: "accidentally" stepping on her foot, "accidentally" knocking her over with a toy, eventually (God, I'm so embarrassed ... it seems so silly) he tried to play her head like a bongo ... think Simpsons-style. We redirected, explained the problem, acknowledged the jealousy and eventually sent him to bed for the night.
Today, we went to a chiro appointment and the doctors' little 1-year old had climbed into my lap to look at my necklace while DS was being adjusted. He came over and gave me a huge hug while "accidentally" crushing her as she sat in my lap. When DH pulled him off the baby and me, he began kicking and flailing wildly (she wasn't injured).
We explain that hands are not for hitting and that we use our bodies for love and that he's my son and no matter what baby is sitting in my lap, I will always love him etc. Makes no freaking difference. I'm REALLY at a loss here.
I'm especially concerned because we're TTC, and if we're so fortunate as to become pregnant, I want this issue RESOLVED!
DS is really struggling with jealousy. He always has, and it's focused on my attention. You know that I work, and DH stays at home which I know has a lot to do with it.
Whenever I show attention to another child (especially a younger child), DS exhibits jealous and aggressive behavior. It first started when he was about 2, and I thought he'd grow out of it. We'd redirect, admonish etc. He's 4 now, and the problem is not only still occurring, but also getting worse.
For example, on Christmas day we invited a friend of ours over for supper and she brought her 1-yr old. If I showed any interest in the baby, DS would exhibit mild aggression: "accidentally" stepping on her foot, "accidentally" knocking her over with a toy, eventually (God, I'm so embarrassed ... it seems so silly) he tried to play her head like a bongo ... think Simpsons-style. We redirected, explained the problem, acknowledged the jealousy and eventually sent him to bed for the night.
Today, we went to a chiro appointment and the doctors' little 1-year old had climbed into my lap to look at my necklace while DS was being adjusted. He came over and gave me a huge hug while "accidentally" crushing her as she sat in my lap. When DH pulled him off the baby and me, he began kicking and flailing wildly (she wasn't injured).
We explain that hands are not for hitting and that we use our bodies for love and that he's my son and no matter what baby is sitting in my lap, I will always love him etc. Makes no freaking difference. I'm REALLY at a loss here.
I'm especially concerned because we're TTC, and if we're so fortunate as to become pregnant, I want this issue RESOLVED!
