So for a while now we have been experiencing some crazy bad behavior from Cara and I just don't know what to do. You would think that a mother of 6 would have all the answers when it comes to children's behavior. But this is territory that I have not enter with any of my other children. Cara has always been a little fire cracker, but shy and it is just part of her personality, however a natural fire cracker mixed with high blood sugar and watch out! She is just out of control at times. I have tried time-outs, taking things and activities away, we tried positive reinforcements etc, etc, etc and still bouts of bad behavior. Screaming, throwing things, hitting people, saying mean things to people, throwing herself on the floor, ripping things out of peoples hands. For the most part every time she has an outburst like this I put her in a time-out to relax in my room, then I take her blood sugar. It is usually in the 20's. I feel so bad sometimes yelling at her for her behavior because I really don't know what she is going through and how she is feeling when she has high blood sugar. But she can not act like this.
I have good kids very well behaved kids. Everywhere we go people are amazed at their behavior and usually embarrassed at there kids behavior compared to mine because there is 6 of them and only 1 of their own. But with Cara I just don't want to leave the house anymore in fear of a huge outburst (that is really sad to say) I'm nervous that these outburst will became a habit for Cara and this will be her new normal behavior.
And don't get me started on sleeping. No matter naps or bedtime, both have never been a problem for ANY of my children except for Cara, she just will not sleep. Whenever it is time for sleep it is a fight, "Cara get back to bed" all night long! She use to share a room with her sister Kylie and we are in the process of making Cara her own room because she was keeping Kylie up all night long. We thought with Kylie out of her room she would be able to fall asleep easier, but that has not happened. It is just a lot less noisy. I'm wondering if sleeplessness is a side effect of diabetes or insulin? I can tell you that bad behavior is a side effect of sleeplessness!!! lol
So basically these are 3 main things I have working against me with Cara's behavior, !st Cara is 3 years old and with all 3 year olds you do expect a LITTLE bit of fussiness, 2nd Cara has very little sleep at night, and she wakes up so early, so she is tired all day long and 3rd Cara BG numbers have been quit high during the late mornings for a while now and that is when I see the most problems with her behavior. I wish I could just snap my fingers and get my sweet little Cara back......where did she go?
I also was reading all the blogs today about how school is fast approaching and my stomach was doing back flips, I thought that I might just puke. This will be Cara's first year of school J.K. (Jr. Kindergarten) and boy if she thinks that she will be acting like she is acting at home she will be kick out her first week of school! lol (but not really)
What is a mother to do? :) Just keep swimming !!
6 comments:
Oh....it sounds like Jada and Cara are alot alike! It is tough! I like to call it a "passionate" personality! She is a ton of fun to be around....but watch out- that strong will of hers will pop up out of no where and diabetes just makes it more difficult! I don't know what the best answer is...because when they are too high or too low...they just aren't there mentally. I have really made it a point to check her blood sugar before I do any kind of discipline (unless I have a VERY good idea of what her numbers are). I am SO there with you on this!
I'm swimmin' with ya!
Sounds like Alivia too! I’m constantly feeling the need to remind my friends and family that her bad behavior can be a sign of high blood sugar but they all still act like she should be more than able to control herself! I’m right there with you…how much of this is “normal” 2-3 year old strong willed child behavior and how much is really high blood sugar????? How do I make her understand that yes high blood sugars make you feel cruddy and irritable but it’s never ok to act out????
Sorry I know I’m no help!….but you’re not alone!!!
PRAY!!!!
Sometimes that's all I know to do :)
When Addy was 3, I was sure one of us wouldn't survive until her 4th birthday. It was a very difficult year -- she was also my first, so I don't really know what role D played.
Please keep posting and let us know how school goes...it might help quite a bit :)
Oh man, Cara sounds a lot like Elise in the personality department. We also have a lot of issues with sleeping.
I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel soon with this.
My favorite saying! Just keep swimming! I just found your blog and I SO feel for you, I've been there, more than once.
My 11 year old was diagnosed at 8 months old. His first three diabetic years were awful! What I finally ended up doing was, when he was out of control, I would gently take him aside and give him a hug. I would check his sugar and if he was high I would say, "You must feel awful! Insulin will make you feel much better!" I would have him sit and watch tv or lay down until he felt happy again. He needed the empathy. He needed to know that I knew he felt awful, but also that it wasn't ok to make everyone else sad because they don't feel good.
But I also know that sometimes there is no reasoning and all you can do is cry. It does get better. I promise! Somehow they adjust, and for your little one all these feelings are new and miserable and confusing. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you don't feel good. I do.
Good luck! You are doing a great job!
Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments. It really means a lot to know that there are families going through or have gone through the same feelings and events as we are! One thing that everyone's comments has made me realize is a little more patience and compassion for Cara's behavior. I will have to remember to take a step back and breathe!! :]
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