Grrrrrr Mattress number 4

[justinsmom]

Ok this is getting ridiculuous, we just went and got Justin mattress number 4. I think we maybe on to something here with this one . We have made the move and put his bedframe up so now the mattresses are off the floor ( we had to wait til he wasn't falling out of the bed anymore), and I decided to go with a bunk mattress ( 4 inch thickness) and got one of those deep mattress covers that zip and a cloth one on top of that. The difference this time with the smaller mattress we were able to put the box spring and mattress into the covers and tuck them both underneath the box spring and the frame. So now he can't pull the mattress off and strip the bed and it's not as high as a regular twin bed yet. If he chews and picks through this one I don't know what else to do. I was thinking of maybe asking his doc to write some type of a script with a dx of some type of sensory issue to see if the ins. company can help out with the rest of the mattresses if need be

[MB]

How about stripping the room of everything except a pad and sleeping bag? If he chews through the pad, just the sleeping bag.

Our son could not sleep through the night when he was put into a big bed. He was scared (we found out when he finally developed speech) of falling and of monsters in the closet and under the bed.

He still sleeps with the light on. The thing that finally cured him was getting a big dog who sleeps with him at night. We told him that if there was a monster the dog would attack it and bark and we would come running as fast as we could. The dog doesn't bark, thank goodness. I wish I would have communicated how safe he was. Looking back I now know he could have understood us.

I feel your pain. Just know that it is not a permanent thing.

MB

[MB]

Dear Justinsmom,

How about a social story. Take pictures:

1. Justin sleeping on mattress. Caption: A mattress is for sleeping. Justin sleeps on his mattress.

2. Mom and Dad with unhappy expressions. A mattress is not for picking or chewing. Picking and chewing mattresses makes Mom and Dad unhappy.

3. Picture of Justin by darkened window. When it is dark outside, Justin needs to sleep on his mattress. If Justin wakes up and it is dark, Justin needs to put his head down and go back to sleep.

4. Picture of Justin looking at sunshine. When it is light outside, Justin can call (or come and find) Mom and Dad.
It is time for Justin to get up.

5. Picture of Mom and Dad welcoming Justin into their room. Mom and Dad like it when Justin waits for sunshine to wake up.

6. Picture of Mom and Dad inspecting the mattress. Mom and Dad are happy when Justin does not pick or chew on the mattress.

7. Picture of Justin, Mom and Dad hugging. We are happy now!

I would suggest you laminate the pages and tie them together or have them bound. Be prepared to read the book over and over and over.

Hope this helps.

MB