Tuesday, April 20, 2004
I'm just not sure if this is encouraging him or not:
When Parker gets mad or frustrated about something that he wants but can't have right then (like a cookie, to nurse, to not go to sleep, etc.), he'll start hitting, kicking, and/or throwing if the point isn't being taken by us . We will tell him "no" and prevent him from hurting us (blocking or holding his arms/legs back(but not pinning him), taking his thrown objects away to "time-out") as he releases his frustration anger, all the time trying to tell him he sound say, "I'm angry" instead (yeah, THIS is working ). Then, after his temper has passed, he'll start crying and needing a hug RIGHT THEN. I've been doing it, scooping him up when he starts bawling with his arms spread out wide, but part of me wonders if this is really assuring him that even when he is mad/mean he is still lovable or if this is telling him that he can be mad/mean and violent, and we'll just take it. I don't know, but it is getting old.
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