confusedmom- i think a lot of us with gifted kids have been through at least some of what you describe. My DS (now 4) never had the horrible tantrums until 3 - my belief is that he could communicate at an early age, and so never had the early problems with not being understood. But then he learned sometime around 3 that he liked getting his way, and wanted it all the time! We also went through the failed time-out phase. I have some back/neck problems occasionally (nothing like yours - i'm sorry you and your son had to go through that) - but repeatedly dragging a wriggly and screaming kid to time-out was not good for me. I had some luck with taking away something he really liked. Taking away one or more bedtime books worked for awhile. (But most of the time he didn't care! and would even say "I don't mind.") Now, we're pretty successful with warnings about taking away computer time. But he still will want to argue.
Re: clothing sensitivities. Yep, we got 'em. I can say that it seems to be getting better over time, but there are still things he is adamant about. I.e., must wear long pants and long-sleeves shirts all year, all cotton clothes always (except really soft polarfleece stuff and down coats in winter), no fake tattoos or markers or paint or stamps on his skin. Biggest issue - getting clothes wet. by even a drip. When at home, he immediately says or screams "my shirt/pants got wet!" and he takes them off. One benefit of preschool - he seems to not want to be embarrassed there, so he will tolerate some things (like he'll wait until he gets to the car to take his clothes off). But we were just at an outdoor festival, and it started misting. He now tolerates mist, so he kept playing. Then it was full-on raining, and he ended up stripping down to naked in front of hundreds of kids and parents. So, that hasn't changed yet!
We also went through the no-nap thing (but he always has slept through the night very nicely). But we only had about a 6-month period just before 3 i think where i got him to take a regular nap. Otherwise, as infant, 20-minute catnaps, and toddler to now (other than the one winning streak), no naps.
So, good luck, and remember that some of those expensive books are also available through inter-library loan. (Although i see you will be moving to China, so i suppose you need to stock up more. - although maybe it's just vacation)
Last edited by st pauli girl; 09/15/08 08:02 AM.
