Let me start with this:
I never intended to blog daily, let alone multiple times in one day. That being said, I wanted to get this out while it was still fresh.
Kennedy, my middle child on the spectrum, did not sleep well at all last night (nothing unusual there sadly). Due to that, she has been a little off today. I am also not myself when I'm not sleeping well, so I can empathize with her emotional irregularities today.
Tonight, the dreaded bedtime began.
Bedtime used to be my least favorite part of the day with my older 2 because that meant lots of meltdowns and lots of protesting. Today though, I countdown the minutes until I can get them ready for bed some days. Don't come for me, but I love being done with parenting for the day!
Kennedy was overtired from not sleeping well and then the already anticipated meltdown started because I wouldn't give her a second gummy vitamin (worst mom ever, am I right?!). She threw herself on the floor and began screaming. I carried her into her room because the baby was trying to sleep and I don't want to deal with a third kid awake for no reason.
The meltdown continued on, she threw her brand new toy. The consequence from that was I put the toy away where she couldn't reach it and can you guess what happened next???
If you guessed an even bigger meltdown, then you are 1000% correct my friend!
30 minutes goes by of just solid screaming and crying, not without me trying to calm the storm, using every tool in the toolkit but none helped whatsoever.
I managed to convince her to go brush her teeth, but then she freaked out about Genevieve leaving her socks in the bathroom and chucked those clear across the house haha! I digress.
I joined her in the bathroom, my initial want was to just grab her and hold her while she screamed however, Kennedy and I are one in the same where physical touch at any time is a "no no" but especially when we're in the middle of losing our ever loving minds. Take note of that, you may need it later.
Then it hit me like 1998 Britney, let's add water!
I rush to the living room and snag her water bottle and I hand it to her in the bathroom, letting her know she forgot to drink her water! That gave me a split second of quiet to get a word in.
While she drank, I said "ok, we're going to be all done now right?"
She nodded her head in agreement.
I'm not a scientist or a psychologist, but I know from firsthand experience that water fixes 90% of my problems.
Think about it, what's one thing you look forward to after a long day? A shower.
Feeling foggy today and no amount of caffeine seems to shake it? Water.
Want to cool down after a hot day in the sun? Water.
Kids are bored at home? Throw them in the bath!
Water is an excellent distraction tool; it's free, it's not messy, and it has zero calories (if you're concerned about that kind of stuff).
I have lots of distracting water toys too! Water can be SO much fun!
I got these for my little man. More recently he likes to throw them hard at the bottom of the bath to hear them clunk.
My mom introduced me to these water coloring books and I always have them around! Thanks mom!
Kennedy was gifted this and OMG she is obsessed! Honestly, I am too! The best part about this one is that once it dries, you can start again. All of us have spent hours making stuff and the accessories are top tier.
So, I urge you, in the event your neurodivergent child (or neurotypical honestly) just can't anymore for the day, add some water in the mix.
If you try it, let me know in the comments below how it went for you!
Have a great week! Hopefully you won't hear from me soon! Haha
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