September 26, 2011
Ever since the start of Kindergarten, Jorja has turned into what might best be described as is a Tazmanian Devil with Bipolar Disorder…yet, only on school days and usually immediately following the hug I receive after she gets of the bus in the afternoon. Her behaviors include taunting her little brother, harassing her big brother, saying “NO” emphatically and with attitude to simple requests like “put your book-bag where it belongs”. Then, God forbid you put her in time out! That’s when the party would begin (and when I say party, I mean more like the hangover you get AFTER the party on your 21st birthday). We have had ear-piercing, glass shattering screams that might have made the neighbors thing I was making her walk across h0t coals as after-school entertainment. There were a couple of times where she physically lashed out at me in the midst of one of her out-of-body experiences where her brain shuts down and her body lurches and flings like the girl from the Exorcist (and trust me, at one point I did actually consider an exorcism). The unfortunate part of this whole situation was that I was so involved with my new job and having play practice 3 times/week and recently every day, that I didn’t have time to come up with a solution…until today!!
The minute Jake and Jorja got off the bus, they received enormous bear hugs (the first step in reducing her overstimulated little body was an emotional connection combined with proprioceptive input that has a calming effect on the nervous system…in case you were wondering). Then, immediately after removing her backpack, I sent her downstairs where I kept the lights low, and we began our “chill-out” routine. First, I had her pick some sounds she found soothing from one of my relaxation apps. After the sounds started playing, we set our intentions for the evening. I started with “I will be very patient with all of my children for the rest of the evening!”. Jorja’s was “I will be nice to my mom and then I will clean the whole basement”–well, it was a start : ) Then, we started with deep-breathing and followed with the kid-friendly version of progressive-muscle-relaxation. Next, I led her through a routine of yoga with poses that provide lots of deep-pressure for calming (down-ward dog, cat/cow, fish, table and plank). We ended with “peace be with you” (because “Namaste” would have been a little too hard to explain to a 5 year old!) and then another big hug.
Results of the evening: absolutely NO “meltdowns”, Jorja followed ALL directions without a single resistance, she initiated helping with her younger siblings (helping Jagger with his dinner while I fed Jemma, changing Jemma’s diaper while I helped Jagger use the toilet, getting Jagger’s PJ’s on while I did Jemma’s–notice that Jagger and Jemma’s needs seem to occur simultaneously). The night ended fabulously with her going to bed with a smile on her face vs. the usual getting sent to bed before I lose my mind!
Of course, this is just the first day…and of course, I have to keep this routine consistent or it will NEVER work. But regardless, I’m excited about the results I got today and hope for continued success. Wish me luck!
projectsupermommy 