Knowledgeability Clarity of Response Politeness
10 10 10
Comment: Thanks I will take him to his pediatrician within the next couple of weeks
Questioner: Susanne
Subject: temper after naps
Question: our son (25 months old) has in the last few months gotten up from his naps with a terrible temper outburst (screaming, thrashing around, head banging).He only does this on the weekends when he is home with us. It doesn’t happen all the time. I usually pick him up and hold him firmly until he calms down (usually takes about 15 minutes).
Sometimes he goes back to sleep,and sometimes he is wide awake and in a good mood. It doesn’t matter how long the nap. When he first started this behavior, he headbutted me so bad I had a bruised lip for over two weeks (imagine all the explaining I had to do).
It seems to be getting a little bit better, I just want to know if there is anything else I can do? He is a very active and very solid toddler and pretty smart but o so stubborn. One of the things he does best is “ignore” yet he hears the tiniest noises!
Answer: Dear Susanne:
When you say he only does this on the weekends and after he gets a nap, I wonder if he needs to be checked out by your child’s doctor. Also, determine what is terribly different about his weekend schedule than he weekday schedule. Are you sure he doesn’t behave this way during the week? Is he in daycare? Seems like something is amiss here and I would feel better if you had him checked out medically before we form theories of another nature.
Best Wishes!
M Kay Keller