04/08/2024
The story behind this note:
Last night my youngest was over tired and overstimulated. We had some friends over and the older kids wanted to game but my youngest (6) was so on edge he was already showing huge signs of disregulation. I knew how this would end...it ain't my first rodeo! Needless to say, I was right, and the situation turned to the point where I had to pick him up and remove him from the room.
He screamed, he threw things, he altenated between being completely irrational and ridiculous in what he would say to being able to clearly articulate what he wanted...which was something I said no to. It didn't matter what I did, he kept on going. So I sat on the floor and waited with him until he wore himself out and then climbed into my lap and cuddled me and cried.
My plans for the night were totally stuffed. So I leaned into it and did what I needed to help him regulate and be calm. We sat in my bed and watched a movie together and cuddled and he fell asleep, staying all night next to me. This is not normally something I would be ok with, but given it was a Saturday night and we have no plans this morning I rolled with it.
And in the morning, when he got up and thought I was still asleep, he gently kissed my cheek and put this piece of paper next to me.
The science of what went on in his brain 🧠 last night is fascinating (age and developmentally appropriate but bloody frustrating!) and I handled it as best I could. Will I always handle situations like this? No. Will I always keep my cool? Heck no.
As parents, we may not get it right all the time, but we won't always get it wrong either.
