Stress and the BBB

[dut]

vickie, smartyjones - thanks for the ideas. I initially tried to get her to sleep on the floor/offered to bring another mattress in, thinking it would be easier to crack that nut when the time came but she was scared there were ants crawling all over the floor but as the episode is losing steam, I may well try it again. I'll try the slumber party angle.

 

As for sneaking out of bed to a bed of my own --ahhhh angels singing --- what a glorious idea. I don't reckon my ds2 would go for it at all but I'm smiling just thinking about it. I love my kids but the thought of not being woken god knows how many times a night and not being constantly jabbed with feet etc.... I'm in a reverie just thinking about it

Edited August 8, 2010 by dut

[thereishope]

When my kids were little and still sleeping with us, they couldn't fall asleep without me in bed. I'd lay there cuddling them until asleep then my husband would help me sneak out of the room, Softly pick up those kid feet off of me and replace me with a pillow so they thought I was still there. Depending on the position the kid was in, it would probably look quite comical watching us trying to get me out of the room. Yes, I was tired, but could not go to bed at 8pm every night with the kiddos!

[Suzan]

vickie, smartyjones - thanks for the ideas. I initially tried to get her to sleep on the floor/offered to bring another mattress in, thinking it would be easier to crack that nut when the time came but she was scared there were ants crawling all over the floor but as the episode is losing steam, I may well try it again. I'll try the slumber party angle.

 

As for sneaking out of bed to a bed of my own --ahhhh angels singing --- what a glorious idea. I don't reckon my ds2 would go for it at all but I'm smiling just thinking about it. I love my kids but the thought of not being woken god knows how many times a night and not being constantly jabbed with feet etc.... I'm in a reverie just thinking about it

 

HUGS dut!! I'm right there with you. I've been struggling with sleep issues my girls entire lives. I remember when I finally gave in and took some advice from someone who said "get a bigger bed". I did just that, went from a queen to a king and we slept great for a long time. dd8 did not do so well with the sneaking out and at various times she would be sensitive enough to wake up with any movement or smallest sound. She's there now, waking up when I turn off my light "click" to go to sleep. She's sleeping on the floor in my room but if she's awake when I turn off the light, the anxiety starts up and she ends up in bed with me. I get my laptop and book and that is my alone time after the kids go to sleep. Well, alone meaning, they are in the room but asleep and I get some peace and quiet. I don't feel comfortable coming downstairs because I know dd8 will wake up and freak.

 

Susan

[dut]

vickie, suzan - the things we do..

 

when my dd was little... say from 12-20 months or so, it would take her 1 to 1 1/2 hours to go to sleep (can't believe I hadn't discovered melatonin ). She was a heavy baby, I've got a crap neck/back 'cos of rather daftly falling off a pedal bike but I would have to rock her on my lap for the whole time, sat crossed legged on the bed and singing "twinkle, twinkle little star". When she would finally fall asleep I had to count to 200 slowly 'cos if I put her down too quickly it would all start again. Oh the joys!!

 

I only ever told those closest to me, thinking most would think I was both crazy and a slave to my child but, at the time, it was the only way to get her to sleep. Now was that early PANDAS?

 

I think all parents can relate to needing that me-time, however we have to/chose to spend it (with pc on bedroom floor ) just for some it is harder won. My poor cat, I'd come out of that bedroom and the cat would want to get some lap action.. no way, I was done.. my dh didn't fare much better

Edited August 8, 2010 by dut

[Joan Pandas Mom]

That is a great point Peg. We are out in LA doing intensive outpatient ERP and my son is really regressing today and tonight. I wonder if it is just too much, opening the BBB and autoantibodies are getting in starting this cycle over again. I'm wondering if we should just go home and rest. I'm seeing things I haven't seen before tonight. He never had the compulsion of flushing the toilette over and over. As all of you know the work is pointless if he is giving in to compulsions. This was the 8th day and he is now as bad as day 1.

[Megs_Mom]

I'm with Smarty on this one - baby steps have always been a winner for us. Peg, once you get near the elevator, simply pressing buttons might be a good first step - then touching the door, then putting one foot in the door. Once she gets in the door, letting her press buttons while the door is securely held open by an adult, letting her just sit in there for 10 minutes at a time if she is ready, etc. Just staring at the elevator, and going an inch or two forward might be enough for a few weeks time. We literally dealt with phobias and with seperation anxiety one inch at a time. Painful to watch, but once you adjust your own mind to incremental success, it is much easier (not a problem for you, Peg - but for some of us, it takes some getting used to).

 

I tend to use the rule of thumb that if they WANT to do something, then they have to be given the opportunity. We have to believe in them at least as much as they believe in themselves.

 

Good luck - what a super brave girl you have.