watching a friend's kids

[cravenab00]

until early next week, they had a death in the family and had to go to Ohio.

I am having some issues. The almost 3 year old A, keeps hitting everyone, and knocking them down, particularly my 2 year old. When I explain to him that we dont hit, and try to redirct him, he hits ME, and screams GO AWAY.
I keep moving his hands away so that he wont hit me, and he fights, and then he will settle down and walk away. But as soon as I turn, he will charge at me and hit or scratch me.
I am a very familiar person to him. I have seen him at least once a week since he was born, he has been at my house almost weeky as well.
His mom did say that ever since they had to give him steroid for his asthma, he has been aggressive.

I am not sure what to do, I am worried about my 2 year old, he already has 2 bruises

Any advice?

[ShaggyDaddy]

Which steroid? Prednisone makes me SO hungry all the time. I can eat until my stomache hurts from being so full, and still be shakey hungry.

Flovent (inhaler) and other steroids made it so I had a sort of "restless" "stir crazy" feeling.

If you suspect it is the hunger thing, I would recommend heavy, protien based foods... Meat, String Cheese(if he is o.k. with dairy), eggs (hard boiled are easy to offer as a snack cause you can make them ahead of time). Also Steroids TASTE AWFUL I would chase them with orange juice because otherwise I got to taste that horrid taste ALL DAY LONG.

Carbs drove me crazy on prednisone because I could never feel "full"

On steroids, I feel that meals need to be abandoned. I had to have food available constantly. When the hunger sets in it is an extremly desperate feeling, and the time is VERY short between "I'm hungry" and "Oh god I am starving to death"

If hunger is not his problem it may be the stir crazy thing, I would suggest you try to find focused active activities (maybe not too physical due to asthma). Try to find something that can be used as a punching bag so you don't have to be... Fine motor control was always frustrating with this kind of medicine because with me it was diminished to an annoying point, but not quite to a disfunctional point. Anything that involves something forceful (like throwing a ball against the ground or wall) seems to help "release"

[daniedb]

Sweet thing - I know it's hard when he's aggressive toward your kid, but from my objective viewpoint, I can see a small child left without his family for days on end, scared and lonely. I could be wrong, but that was my first thought.

Perhaps you could set aside some dedicated time to A while he is in your home to have quiet activities, coloring or playing with you or your DH/DP/SO, some extra snuggles and eye contact and just some special time. I agree about the steriods, they would make me crazy jittery when I took them, and it made it almost impossible to sleep or sit still. Lots of outside time and hard, fast play is what I would recommend, and I think ShaggyDaddy has some terrific food suggestions.

You're a doll for helping out the friend, and I hope that you find some peace for your home during his visit.

[chiro_kristin]

When my ex was on steroids, he often was very aggressive and combative, in addition to other side effects. This combined with feeling abandoned by his parents and out of his normal environment/routine... I'm not surprised.

Thanks for helping out his family. I think it is really awesome what you are doing.

[RiverSky]

I have no idea whether or not this would work for you, but when my children are antsy or fighting with eachother (verbally or physically), I get them to run around the tree in the front yard ten times. Can you try something like that, give him a ball to kick in the back yard, perhaps keep your 2 year old away while this is happening? Give him some other way to get out his energy besides attacking your child? It sounds like a tough time for this poor child, side effects, being away from family, having to deal with other children all the time, etc. good luck!

[jlpumkin]

I would suggest water play or sand or play doh. These are soothing activities that might help all of the children to release some stress. I'm not sure it will help the pushing, especially since I know very little about steroid treatments. But certainly your 2 yo is experiencing some stress from the new kids always around and sharing space - just as the others must be missing their parents. It might tone things down a little. Good luck! I'm sure the other parents are greatly relieved they have such a great friend!