|
Post by momofrussell on Jun 15, 2004 9:46:42 GMT -5
Reece is younger than Russell by 3 yrs. She is now 3 and Russell is 6. I have noticed she is just starting to notice and wonder about Russell. Regan was 5 yrs older than Russell so by the time she noticed, she was old enough to understand.
We have told Reece very simple stuff. She most of the time she is ok but sometimes she does get frusterated, I am assuming because it's her age, and doesn't like the things that Russell does. I can see the wheels spin in her head over the lack of talking in Russell. She knows he is her big brother but I don't think that equates much in her brain right now. I think she thinks he is the baby now LOL. Since he acts like it. He is now younger physically and mentally than her and she is taking notice in different ways.
What have you done or said for your younger siblings? How and when or if, did they notice?? Just curious.
A.
|
|
|
Post by Connie on Jun 15, 2004 12:07:05 GMT -5
A. We are in the same boat right now. Collin (DS) who is now 4 and Lauren who just turned 2 in March are beginning to go through the same thing. While I knew that one day this day would come I really expected it to be when Collin was around 6 and Lauren was 4. This one has been rough for me for some reason. While I still think Collin may have her more mentally (age wise) his speach is really far behind compared to hers. Even though it's cute I have to keep the little Princess from mother henning him to death. She likes to come and tell me "Mom, Collin is or Collin did that...." I also, hear her telling him "No, Collin don't...." But, I really really beleive she has been one of the best things that I could have done for him and our family!!! Connie
|
|
|
Post by cindylou on Jun 15, 2004 14:30:56 GMT -5
Hey Guys- Have been there before-and currently still deal with this stuff ALL the time. Younger neighbors who get frustrated and argue with Kaylee--Kaylee is 10 and loves to play with kids that are ALL ages, but when kids her age aren't around she plays with several 5 year olds. They get mad because she says "I'm the boss.." and they argue with her...It's actually quite humorous--but it drives the 5 year olds crazy. I actually tell them (in private along with their parents) that Kaylee had Down syndrome--and it kinda means that her brain is broken. It doesn't learn things easy like the rest of us. Sometimes she might act 'different' then we would. That we should just love her..and help her to play fairly.--then I tell them they could EVEN say "OKAY Kaylee-you're the BOSS" - even though they know she really isn't-because it just makes her so happy. I also tell them not to say "Kaylee - your brain is broke- or anything like that because it would make her really sad. So far we haven't had any serious problems (just a lot of little arguements amongs them) and they seem to really want to help when they know what it is they can do! Now don't give me ANY grief for the whole "brain is broken" thing--it is the simplest way to explain it to kids - for me anyways. Nothing bad meant by it.. Emma has turned out to be great for Kaylee also--and as they get older it is such a blessing. However, the 3-5 thing is a little bit of work because they fight and the younger one just isn't mature enough to get it.
|
|
|
Post by shellk on Jun 15, 2004 16:53:40 GMT -5
We are also going this right now with neighbors and with nephews..My nephew is 9 months older than Kourtney and he kow and understands that Kourtney is different and my neighbors son who is soon to be 6 does not really know..He was floored the other day to discover that Kourtney is the same age as him, he doesn't understnad why she does some things and not others like he can ride a big 2 wheel bike and hers has training wheels, she tackles the crud out of him but, his parents tell him he can't tackle her back...Explaining to his parents was hard enough for they are not the sharpest tools in the shed themselves..His mother I have explained like 50 times in 3 years that Kourtney will never grow out of DS. My younger nephew who is 3 is scared of Kourtney and sometimes it really hurts my feelings and it also hurts my sisters feelings..We don't really feel that now is the time to explain it to him his older brother (6) is always around when Josh is w/ Kourtney and Kyle(6) usually will try to stop Kourtney or come and get a grown up..It is tough and my other children Kaylyn 11 and Marie 12 are way old enough to understand thier little sister.. It does get confusing . Michele
|
|
|
Post by PaigesMom on Jun 15, 2004 19:08:58 GMT -5
I think I sort of posted something similar to this a while back about when and how do you "tell" other, younger siblings.
I am dealing with some of the same issues now, my son is just 2 1/2 and Paige was just 4 and he has surpassed her developmentally in many ways, and has for a while now. It is strange watching your younger child become your older child, but still be younger, if you know what I mean.
I can see that he "knows" something is different about her - the way he gives her instruction, the way he comes and tells me when she needs help, the way they play together, and I can sort of see his wheels turning - inquisitve looks when she does inappropriate things either at home or around others.
To sit him down and try and explain this to him now would be fruitless, he would have no understanding whatsoever. I just let them play like kids and one thing I do is keep things fair and equal - I expect from her, what I expect from him (of course within a margin of reason), and he really looks at this.
So after all of this, I have nothing really to suggest and would love to hear what others have done in this situation.
Debbie
|
|
|
Post by momofrussell on Jun 15, 2004 21:52:29 GMT -5
Sounds like you guys are where I am at. We say simple things to Reece every so often, like.. Russell will talk, just a bit later... or things like... We need to help Russell a bit more. That's about all she can understand. Russell has some silly self-stim autistic habits that Reece thinks is funny to imitate, which I don't like. So I kindly tell her that it's not appropriate. What is hard is that Russell DOES do them and I don't think Reece should be doing them... if that makes sense.
I know that, Russell, though older than Reece, will always be younger. Reece is already taking care of him also. Tending to him, consoling him, saying NO NO when needed, ect... it's cute, but poor boy... he is destined to have both sissies coddle him for life LOL
A.
|
|
|
Post by SuziF on Jun 16, 2004 11:52:03 GMT -5
We're in a category similar to many of you as well. Only, Sam is 16mths older than Meri. ~Like, I had to start him in preschool early so they wern't starting at the same time as he has a December birthday. Sometimes I feel it will even be harder on him than the older boys because he & Meri are sort of the "package deal" Eligable for activities at the same time & same schools, etc.Right now it's not too bad either, but as his interests mature & hers don't as quickly I imagine there will be hurdles.
Suzi
|
|