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I'm hoping to get some opinions and advice, please! Our son is 4 y.o. and has been home for over a year. He has bonded with us really well. Even though we don't have attachment concerns, we do see it as a very long process and it's something that we continue to be intentional about. His therapist has concerns because of the number of times he was moved in his first 3 years.
I wonder, though, at what point might we just be making him think that the world revolves around him? We still rock him to sleep almost every night and if he does fall asleep in his bed, we stay in the room until he's asleep. We've also been pretty active in helping him enforce his boundaries with other kids and will step in if he's telling another child to stop and the other isn't complying (especially if he's feeling afraid. Sometimes we let him deal with situations of simple annoyance, if it doesn't go to far). His therapist has also said that, because his needs were not met consistently when he was younger, he may need us to help him with things that he's very capable of doing on his own at times. What do you think, are we just spoiling him, or are these things beneficial at this point? My main concern is that if he doesn't emotionally need these supports, babying him will hold him back. Sometimes it's so hard to tell what is just an age-appropriate tantrum and what indicates a deeper need! (You've probably guessed that he's an only child and we haven't parented this age before - our foster kids were all older.) I realize this isn't a lot of info to go on, but it would be great to get some opinions on this from more experienced foster/adopt parents.
Thank you!
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The biggest concern is that he doesn't learn the skills to help himself do what you are currently intervening for. As far as bedtimes go -- if he is still wanting that approach, and you are ok with it, then go with it. If he is ready to let you back off a bit, then you can start. Maybe tucking him in, leaving the room for ten minutes, and then coming back in to check on him etc. More than most 4 year olds get (I sing, pray, tuck in, turn on night lights and music and go :) ) but still connecting with him due to attachment needs. In terms of his social development -- do you feel that you are over stepping in situations that he SHOULD be handling himself? Does he know you are there fro support should he NEED it -- meaning, is he asking for help, or are you taking over when he would normally have the ability and capacity to try himself? I think in terms of social interactions, it might be time to back off a bit -- but do so in situations where he would have support (preschool for example). What you want is to reinforce that you CAN meet his needs, that you WILL meet his needs, and if he NEEDS you, you will step in -- but at the same time you need to enforce that he IS capable, and IS skilled. You want to be enforcing his growth, and you as his foundation :)
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The real world won't be so kind to him so at some point you need to get him ready for what it is really like out there. He will be going to kindergarten next year? He will get a dose of reality. IMO, I think its time to start preparing him. You can give him lots of reassurance that he is ok and that you love him but might be time to start letting him take some responsibility for himself.