Hi All,
I am new to the forum and need some advice. I don't know where else to turn, I feel like I have tried everything! I even went as far to try and get a parenting coach where I live, but she is going on maternity leave soon so she is not taking on anyone new!
So here is my problem. My son, who just turned 3 recently has got major behavioral problems in my eyes. Every mother (friends and family) that I have spoken to says this is normal for a toddler (but they aren't around him very often, they just go by what I tell them), but I don't think it is so I am turning to you all to see. My son has extreme temper tantrums to the point that he screams bloody murder when he doesn't get what he wants, or when he gets frustrated. He also says things like "blah boom boom blah" almost every single time my husband and I try to have a conversation! He says it louder than we are talking and he says it over and over until we get frustrated and then have to stop what we are saying because of it.
Last week, I was in the shower and he was playing in his room. Next thing I know, he is screaming bloody, and I mean bloody murder! I jumped out of the shower to see what was going on, and he was just frustrated about the fact that a toy was stuck somewhere! Not a reason to scream like that in my opinion! I am afraid to shower during the day now because of it. We live on an upper level 4 plex, and I am afraid the neighbors are going to call CPS on us because of his screaming and tantrums! He also throws things at us when he gets mad! My husband and I usually get along, and we just argue every once in a blue moon, not scream and fight when we do (and never around my son). We never throw things at each other, so I don't know where this behavior is coming from! We give him LOTS of attention too! I have tried EVERYTHING when it comes to consequences for his actions! Naughty chair, time outs in his room, ignoring his behavior (which just results in him screaming louder until we finally give in and give him what he wants, because we don't want to hear it anymore, or disturb the neighbors), and taking his toys away, one by one! Nothing seems to work! Where did we go wrong???
Also he is a very picky eater, and I mean a VERY picky eater! He eats only about 10 things, and that's it! Every time we try and get him to try something new, he covers his mouth and says "ew yuck"! Also potty training has been an absolute nightmare! He refuses. He is very stubborn and always wants to do the exact opposite of what we tell him, and I feel at a loss! He is also extremely hyper, he can't sit still for longer than a minute unless he is tired.
If anyone has anything, anything at all that we can try regarding any of the things mentioned above, I would be so grateful! I honestly feel like a failure as a mother, simply because I thought it was going to be much easier than this raising him! I am with him most of the time, my family and my husband's family aren't around very often at all. I feel alone and don't know what else to do! I just want my son to be happy, and healthy, but also myself too! I feel like I am slipping into a depression because I feel like it's my fault he acts this way! Also ADHD runs in both our families, but according to the internet, he is too young still to be tested for it (understandable). Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any input any of you may have in this matter!
Edited by concernedmomma - 6/21/12 at 3:11pm
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