A long weekend. A change in routine. The end of school fast approaching. A nightmare for moms with special needs kids. Dustin was great on Saturday and Sunday. We even went to my mom's house on Sunday and the kids "swam" in her hot tub. He was pretty darn good with only very few melt-downs. Monday was crap-pppy!
He was bound and determined that I was making him miss school. When I finally got through to him that it was a holiday he must have decided that he would punish me for the holiday. He hollered, he tried to hit the dog every chance he got, he would NOT leave the littles alone, and I think he asked for food every 20 seconds. It was the most nerve-wrecking and frustrating day I have had in a long time.
At one point, I brought him inside while the kids played out back with Roebrt and had him help me with the dishes. He was not at all happy about that idea. He threw himslef on the floor, and ran through the house screaming. Finally, I got him calmed down and asked him to help me put he clean dishes away while I began dinner. I told him it wasn't a punishment, that I just wanted him to calm down and spend some time with me. I turned my back to put some potatoes in the microwave and I hear him mumbling under his breath. I turn around and he is brandishing a very long knife in my general direction, slicing and stabbing at the air about 10 feet behind me. (I had just cut watermelon and he was putting the knife away)
As soon as he saw me turn around he was mortified that I caught him. The first thing he said was "I wasn't gonna do anything! I would never hurt you, I love you!". I was ANGRY! I tried to calm myself, but I was really mad that he would "play" like that. He was pettrified that I was so mad. We had a talk about this behavior and I made it as clear as I could that this was unacceptable. We was really upset.
I don't believe he would hurt me, but it is scary that someone who is increduibly impulsive did something like that. I do not fear for myself or my family at this point, but if he does this again, we will have to visit the doctor and possibly re-admit him to the hospital. I truly think this time he was just acting out.
I trust that you know (because I fostered a boy that played a stupid knife joke and kept him knowing that he really was just playing a stupid joke!LOL My family thought I was nuts though!) because you are his mom and really know him but I actually think that you anger was a good thing for him to see...if you had cowed in any way I think it would have sent the wrong message so kudos for confronting and letting him know that it was definitely stupid/wrong to do that. Still...that was scary so the doctor thing is also a good idea! Hang in there....hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to lock the knives away for a bit!LOL Tell him he has to earn your trust back.
ReplyDeleteIck, what an exhausting day you had. I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love a change in routine? It keeps life interesting. Hugs! ~Kari
ReplyDeleteThe transitioning between school and summer is always tough. I hope this summer is a good one. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWow Sheri,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you had to go through that kind of day.
I was just day dreaming that it would be fantastic if the state would pay for the same type of aid that is with him one on one at school to come in on these kind of days at home. Your love, concern, and guidance is what is keeping Dustin from being a life long burden to society and it is too bad that as a society we don't better support wonderful parents such as your self with mor support services.
God bless you and shine his abundant love down upon you and your family.
That's so scary! I don't have any assvice of my own to give, but I agree with eos- in this case, your anger was something he had to see.
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