why don't you check out the Nurtured Heart approach? Lectures during a meltdown are not recommended. I feel for you since I have a highly emotional three year old that I hope is less sensitive at six.
Mine has been this way since birth. We've already had our first breakdown this morning. We usually have one in the morning an hour or so after breakfast and one in the afternoon around 3:00. It's interesting that there's a pattern to it. The new stimulus for the frustration is the Nintendo Dsi game he got for Christmas. He expects to master these games right away rather than play them for weeks at a time before moving up levels. Also, it's all he wants to do, so there's a meltdown every time I tell him he can't play his video game. I'm considering calling Santa and asking him what the heck he was thinking!
I get very frustrated with the meltdowns, so I suppose that it would make a difference if I could appear to be neutral and unemotional in the midst of them. I try really hard, but after a while I know my feelings are clear to him. He's very sensitive other people's feelings.
I'm really hoping that eventually he'll be calm and rational, Matmum! I can't imagine having to do this for 4 more years, but hopefully if I can let go of trying to control the outbursts it won't drive us all crazy. In between the meltdowns he's a pleasant, fun, and very insightful child to be around. We have great conversations and have a wonderful relationship. I just don't know how to get through to him when he breaks down. He's also started saying things like, "I hate my life," "I wish I were dead," "I don't like feeling this way," and, "I don't want to be alive anymore." I truly don't think he understands exactly what this means, but I know he feels deeply upset when he's in meltdown mode. It could be over something very minor, but he feels it deeply. I can remember having the same thoughts as a child because everything seemed crucial. I also had a hard time putting things in perspective and actually didn't learn that skill until adulthood and after experiencing lots of tragedy in a short amount of time. Obviously, I'm concerned about those statements he makes, but he later tells me he doesn't mean the things he says. As a mother, it's tough to hear though.
Anyone resort to medication to address these emotional outbursts? I'm very reluctant to use any kind of medication, but would it help him control himself?
