Sleeping

Even though school is almost out... I have a child learning to fall asleep. We always struggled with Brandon to fall asleep, he becomes restless and irratated and just plainly disrupted. I have gone to talking with him about fears, to release any thoughts in his head. I have rocked with him, I have laid with him until he falls asleep even if it takes hours.. and have even had the help with Benadryl.

A while ago I read an article called "A Guide to Parenting a Child with FAS." Now this guide is very similar to the Heather Forbes that children live in Fear and they need to be loved. However, a child with Fetal Alcohol can't learn with variables, everything must be concrete, in other words, you can't say "go find something to do." You have to say "go to the other room and play with your legos." You can't say "knock it off" you have to say calmly, "please stop making baby sounds, talke to me as a 9 yr. old" It is so simple but the simpler you make it the easier it is.

So at bedtime about a month ago when Brandon is wigging out as we call it, I calmly remind him that he is tired. He is showing us he is tired by his behaviors. Then after settling in to bed I just say "go to sleep" when he talks or gets silly I just say "go to sleep" and for the most part...(cross fingers) 85% of the time he goes to sleep. THIS IS HUGE

Last night Don was up with the boys at bedtime, he fell asleep. THe boys on their own turn off the lights and went to sleep. You must realize that two years ago even 6 months ago Brandon would have been running around and keeping himself awake. Let's hope this will keep up for the summer.