Epic Tantrums

[Shannie]

Thanks for the advice ladies. I am going to go the route of ignoring his meltdowns and making things super exciting for the other kids who are behaving. I try to talk to the parents about his issues. I am almost 100% certain that he has ADHD but they don't want to hear it. This boy CANNOT sit still, at all for even 2 minutes. At quiet time he bounces all around the living room, hanging off of furniture, different positions on the floor. He physically can't sit still.

Last night at pick up I tried to bring up his temper tantrums to mom. As I started talking she slowly backed down the stairs until I would have to yell for her to listen. So much for that. I never get to finish any conversation with her because she does this. Dad just interrupts me and says something quick to the boy and then leaves with me standing there mid sentence.

I wish that I had more people interested in my dayhome, I really do need to terminate him. For now, he is my only consistent kid.

[Lee-Bee]

The mother backs away slowly until she can't hear you talking to her and the dad just cuts you off by talking to his child and ignoring you? The poor child. How will he ever learn how to behave with parents acting like that?

If you truly believe the child has ADHD then your strategies will have to be very different. Children with ADHD cannot contain their emotions or understand your reactions the same as typically developing children. They just won't learn to smarten up if you walk away and ignore them. They need to be taught the skills needed and they need consistent care at home and daycare and school.

I don't know what to suggest if home is acting like that, they clearly are not seeing the light. Just do as you can to make it through your day as best you can. Hopefully school (when he starts) will have the resources needed to help him and get the parents on board.

[flowerchild]

Last night at pick up I tried to bring up his temper tantrums to mom. As I started talking she slowly backed down the stairs until I would have to yell for her to listen. So much for that. I never get to finish any conversation with her because she does this. Dad just interrupts me and says something quick to the boy and then leaves with me standing there mid sentence.

That is so sad. That poor kid.

I second the suggestion that you call her back to listen. Or if you aren't comfortable doing that, put it all in writing and have her sign and return by the next day, acknowledging that she's read and understood it's content?

I hope your interviews pan out and you can replace this child. I've had children in the past that I wasn't able to take places because of their behaviour. Such a "trapped" feeling and so frustrating.