Having trouble with Lauren

[Renee']

Hello everyone.
I just wanted to drop in and give you a little update.
On April 13th Chris was injured in Iraq. He was hit in the right leg with a RPG and lost a large part of the back of his leg. On May 12th our newest addition, Faith, joined us.
Over the past year we have been experiencing some problems with Lauren. Her behavior is out of control. I don't know what to do with her. She is aggressive and hard to Discipline. I think she may have ADD. Have any of you had issues like this? Is there any medications out there??
She is growing so fast and her speech is wonderful.
I really have missed so many of you. I had to take a while away from things so I hope you don't mind if I come back and join in.

Many blessings
Renee'

[Emilysmom]

Welcome back Renee!
Lauren is really growing up! She (and her adorable baby sister) is SO cute!!

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies on the behavior issues....that's an area that I am certainly not an expert!
Are you in CA now? Sorry to hear about your husband being injured.

Susan

[Jenn]

Well she is just adorable! Both of them!
I can tell you, Courtney had a BAD stage from 4 years to 7.
What kind of behaviors are we talking about?
Another thing that can throw a wrench in her make up is having a new sibling and her Dad being away. I know Courtney would regress a little everytime I had a new one... And when Daddy would go on a business trip, she would be ALL out of sorts...
You should be able to get some kind of behavior specialist through the school system. I would check into that first. They can help you for school and home.
I wouldn't rush into medicine quite yet....she is kinda young...and you need to take into consideration "mental age"
She may just be in that terrible twos, threes, and fours stage that almost every child goes through. I know it can be VERY trying! I almost pulled my hair out when Courtney acted out so......but it usually passes. I know it did with her, for the most part. She still has her moments, but so do my boys!
I am sorry about your husband! That hurts just thinking about it!! Where are you?
Hope you stick around!
Jenn

[Alice]

Renee',
Welcome back! So glad to see your post here!
Glad you have new baby girl and she is wonderful! Lauren looks so grown up and very beautiful!

I agree with Jenn and sure it is just the stage you have to pass. Hope you will find the way to improve her behavior.
Sorry to hear that your husband was injured. Is he home with you now?
Hugs..

[momofrussell]

Gosh Miss Renee it's been SO long hasn't it! I miss hanging and posting with ya!

I have two thoughts on Miss Lauren, my first is what Jen said, and that you have LOTS of stuff going on in your house right now.. daddy away, new baby.. those things can ALL take a toll on our little ones. And sometimes kids get quirky yucky behaviors to communicate to us that things are outta whack! And... like Jen said.. we sometimes need to remember "behavioral age" instead of biological age with our children... THAT has tons to do with what stages our children are in.

I am at a loss for some suggestions though for you. Maybe a behavioral doc? Maybe someone new that can give you some suggestions??? I KNOW some of our kids DO have behavioral issues that are above and beyond the "toddler phase thing" but don't rush to the ADD judgment just yet. I would talk to your ped about it. HE/She may have some suggestions on ideas, and/or a doc for you to see to help with it. Also, if she is in school, make sure how YOU handle things at home and how school handles things are the same.. different approaches at home and school doesn't help either. Does she do this at school or just at home? That is another clue for you... IF it is just at home.. it more than likely is the change in homelife that is making her act up.

Other than that.. hm... maybe do some extra mom and daughter time stuff? Even if she shares a room with baby sis.. maybe do a fun, re-do of Renee's space...? Focus on some NEW fun changes like a change of bedroom scenery can be FUN for kids, especially if they can help... make them feel like THEY did it.. maybe she just some minor tune ups around the house....

Also, I don't know where Lauren is mentally in her understanding and reasoning abilities, but maybe draw some pics of "emotions" and have her communicate that way... explain to her it's OK to have those emotions and what she can do when it takes place.. kinda like.. if she picks the "yucky mood faced" one, she can go sit on her bed and get her frusteration out on a pillow.. somethiing like that.. maybe she can start to understand what these emotions are to have and what she can do with them... or a trip with mommy to have some ice cream or something when she is doing good?! Maybe a chart with stickers might help?

Hang in there girlie!!! Glad to see you posting!!! AND.. I am VERY sorry about your husband! Must be ROUGH! If you ever want to chat, let me know!

A.

[Danielle]

Renee, welcome back! So sorry to hear about your husband - I wasn't sure, he's back home with you all now? Hope so!!

Wish I had advice on the discpline but we're not there yet....so I'll be interested to see what others write.

Lauren is gorgeous and seems SO much older to me!! Wow....

Sending good thoughts your way. Take care,
Danielle

[Cathy]

First of all... WELCOME BACK Renee..we sure have missed you! And OMG could those kids get any cuter?

Then... hugs and prayers to you and your DH..Sorry to hear about his injury and I sure hope he is feeling better realsoon.

What stress there must be in your household! New baby, behavior problems daddy away, it all adds up. I hope and pray that it is just the turmoil creating Laurens behavior. But I think an expert eval would be a great idea. From all that I have read alot of things can be contributing. How is Laurens communication? She is at the perfect age to be getting frustrated from the lack of that.

Hugs and prayers to your whole family and please let us know how Lauren is doing..we miss your updates.

Cathy

[Renee']

Chris was hurt in Falluja mid April. He is now home with me. We returned to California and have no idea what will be happening. He lost his hamstrings and is walking but will never run again. The most wonderful thing is hes alive and with us again!!

As for Lauren...she is pushing, hitting, and not listening to a thing we say. Her communication is wonderful although she has trouble expressing anger. I hope it is just a stage!!!

I have missed you all!!