DS - Update
PTA meeting: went really well. Teacher says he is brilliant for his age.
However she has some concerns still about his confidence. What I like to call fidgety behavior which I'm pretty sure comes from nerves or some sort of embarrassment, since he is a shy boy.
Consequently, I will be looking in to an additional after kindergarten activity that might help with confidence building...I'm looking along the lines of "martial arts" or drama or music.
Otherwise, recently, we have had a slight issue of wetting…basically, not making it in time for the bathroom so some leakage, during the day. We immediately were concerned that something is on his mind. All sorts of possibilities could be behind this:
- We are overbearing.
- Power struggle.
- Something is distressing him.
We are trying to work it out. I think it's "All of the above".
Pediatrician said to have a urine test done and it came back okay. We are still waiting for the culture to come back, but it didn't indicate a presence of an infection, so it will probably be clean.
I think we need to give him more independence. DH tends to run things like we were in the army or something. I mean not as bad…but tend to be more of a sergeant major than my lax attitude.
DS has learned of what is going on in Gaza. The news was on the other day whilst we were having dinner [normally I don't turn the TV on till he goes to bed] and DS said something about rockets, so I started talking to him about it and discovered that the teacher spoke about it in kindergarten. I wish she hadn't but as someone at work pointed out to me, we don't live in a bubble and it's possible that the other kids are talking about it.
We reassured DS that our soldiers are good and they are protecting us. That we live far away from the troubles and we don't hear it. DS added "You and Daddy are protecting me and DD" and I said yes we are and we have a bomb shelter too.
He didn't seem scared when he spoke about it…so hopefully that has helped.
I'm also using reverse psychology. I realize that ever since DD arrived, DS hasn't been getting as much positive praise…because we tend to leap / gasp when he goes for her. So, what is this reverse psychology about…if I see he hugs her a bit too tight, I'll say "DD is so lucky to have such a good brother, that loves her so much and hugs her so gently"…the idea is to get the gentle in to his awareness and to have his outlook as a more positive one…rather then ever since DD arrive it always DS don't do this, and DS don’t do that.
DH has also been very concerned about how healthy DS can be because of his fussy eating.
I've started writing down what he has for dinner each night. Breakfast is always cereal and lunch is at kindergarten. I went yesterday to our pediatrician to speak about this with him and he gave me a whole blood work up to do on DS. I'm sure he'll be happy about that. I'll have his blood taken next week when I'm taking a day off. He also referred me to a nutritionist. He thinks it will be a good idea to see one and to have DS speak with her as it might help him understand why it's important to eat healthy. DS knows all about junk food and healthy food, but he still will not have any chicken / meat / fish, we don't even offer it…what's the point…he behaves like we are trying to poison him or something. He doesn't eat any sort of beans either. At least recently he started having peanut butter.
Btw,
DS is really enjoying all books I got him for Hanukkah. He loves them all. See this post:
http://orlop.livejournal.com/231708.html
A Big thank you to ANN for the gifts she sent us, the book "How many kisses do you want tonight" is a huge success. Both DD and DS love it.