I'm concerned about my almost 4.5yr old. We have had one hell of a yr with the arrival our 2nd son and I think it is taking it's toll on DS1 but I'm not sure if it is just adjusting to the changes or if he could be depressed.
Before baby arrived he was very happy, curious kid; slow to warm up to new situations and people but loved playing with his friends and was able to play independently when in the same room as dh or myself. In the morning he got up out of bed and was ready to start his day.
Almost a yr ago our 2nd son arrived and he was high needs from the start. We are still working on sorting out his tummy but to keep it short he cries all the time, he doesn't sleep much at all, including naps or in the night and when he is awake he is in my arms/carrier almost all the time. This has resulted in 2 exhausted parents whose patience is not what it used to be. DS1's background music for the past yr has been crying - we read stories over crying, we eat dinner with crying, etc. I'm on my own for 10.5hrs a day so there is not much I can do to give him a break from the babe or to give him one on one. I try to do activities but they are always interrupted and often go unfinished.
In the past 4-6 months ds1 is always seeming frustrated, does not laugh as much as he used to, talks to us in a very angry voice, is aggressive with the little one. When he wakes up in the morning he stays in his bed for a long time before getting up for the day, when I nurse the babe, ds1 goes in his room and crawls into his bed until I come to get him. He's often tired, never wants to get dressed in the morning, uses a whining voice ( he never did before), cries a lot and is extremely sensitive. He's also scared in the house - he won't go to the bathroom without me walking him there, he doesn't even want to sit at the barstool at the counter while I make dinner, he wants to be on the same side of the counter as me b/c he's scared. This is all new behaviour for him.
I guess I'm wondering if this could be normal adjustment stuff to a new sibling, especially a high needs one or if it is more.
Sorry it's so long, thanks for taking the time.
Before baby arrived he was very happy, curious kid; slow to warm up to new situations and people but loved playing with his friends and was able to play independently when in the same room as dh or myself. In the morning he got up out of bed and was ready to start his day.
Almost a yr ago our 2nd son arrived and he was high needs from the start. We are still working on sorting out his tummy but to keep it short he cries all the time, he doesn't sleep much at all, including naps or in the night and when he is awake he is in my arms/carrier almost all the time. This has resulted in 2 exhausted parents whose patience is not what it used to be. DS1's background music for the past yr has been crying - we read stories over crying, we eat dinner with crying, etc. I'm on my own for 10.5hrs a day so there is not much I can do to give him a break from the babe or to give him one on one. I try to do activities but they are always interrupted and often go unfinished.
In the past 4-6 months ds1 is always seeming frustrated, does not laugh as much as he used to, talks to us in a very angry voice, is aggressive with the little one. When he wakes up in the morning he stays in his bed for a long time before getting up for the day, when I nurse the babe, ds1 goes in his room and crawls into his bed until I come to get him. He's often tired, never wants to get dressed in the morning, uses a whining voice ( he never did before), cries a lot and is extremely sensitive. He's also scared in the house - he won't go to the bathroom without me walking him there, he doesn't even want to sit at the barstool at the counter while I make dinner, he wants to be on the same side of the counter as me b/c he's scared. This is all new behaviour for him.
I guess I'm wondering if this could be normal adjustment stuff to a new sibling, especially a high needs one or if it is more.
Sorry it's so long, thanks for taking the time.
s i know you must be totally exhausted.
