Parenting with CP.

By Survivornow on Sat, 02-04-12, 12:52

Posted in Group:

Cerebral Palsy

I really need help. I am at my wit's end here. I have a 17-month old son and I also have CP. My husband is away at basic training for the Navy and all of the discipline falls to me. The problem is I know that the consequences for bad behavior need to be immediate for a toddler to understand and because I walk with crutches this is impossible. My son has caught on to this and turns every timeout moment into a game of chase. I am tired of being embarrassed in public and judged by those who believe I shouldn't be a parent. Any advice is welcome: please help!

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By CK on Mon, 02-06-12, 11:37

Disciplining a toddler is challenging period, they are really smart and will monoplize any weakness they percieve is in their best interest. I have an under 2 year old and honestly I don't see how I would ever get her to sit still in time out. I deal with lot of crying and breakdowns whenever she is called out on bad behaviour, honestly discipline only gets easier as they become more verbal and their cognitive apptitude advances so that you can effectively use time outs or take away privledges. I speak from experience as I have an under 2 and a 5 year old. Forget the dirty looks you get from people, we all feel like the eyes of the world are upon us when our kid acts out, but this is life and kids can be holy terrors at times. You may want to consider a kid leash when you are out in public-I know they seem awful, but they really are life savers and you can get the cute backpack ones so it doesn't look quite so bad. This is will keep him close and if the behavior in public gets out of hand-leave, we have all done it.

-CK

Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast-Alice in Wonderland

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By Survivornow on Mon, 02-06-12, 12:15

Thanks for responding CK! I was starting to feel alone with no responses. I got a little monkey child harness and we started practicing today. I am also going to try some more sturdy baby gates and look for a mommy and me group. I feel better already!

You will never change until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.

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By CK on Mon, 02-06-12, 16:11

There you go! A mommy and me group is a great idea-some of my best friends are the ones I made in a mommy and me group I started when my eldest was a baby! It never ceases to cheer me up to hear how other moms are struggling with the same issues as I am-it makes me feel immensely normal.

Stay strong-remember show no fear to these little terrors, I mean children :)

-CK

Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast-Alice in Wonderland

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