I'm sorry I know exactly how you feel. My 3 yr old ds is the same way. This morning I woke up to a huge case of toilet paper from costco opened, all the individual rolls open and thrown everywhere, our whole 2 and 3rd floor had been papered. He also got into my teacher closet so under the toilet paper was a huge box of cards for our pocket charts all over the teaching room, and cards from some games all over the kitchen. It took an hour to clean up at that was at 6am this morning! I won't get into what he did yesterday and the day before. I've wanted to string him up by his toes many times! Why don't we lock them up in a padded room together and see what happens?

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

Oh sweetie, I feel your pain too. We also have a destroyer. I have no advice for you except, pray they grow out of it (that's what we are doing!) Feel free to keep venting when you need, sometimes a good vent to us can help.

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Mommy To Brody(3 years) Mason(20 months) Orin (3 Months)

"It's easy to pass judgement, it's more difficult and more meaningful to love someone" Big Love


"Cholesterol won't stick if you have the right attitude"

Sounds like he has had a break in his bonding with you. Here is a link to a website that will help ...

RadKid.Org: Reactive Attachment Disorder & Detachment Issues

It isn't your fault and there is help but you must get it sooner rather than later. If behavior modification changes don't help, I recommend you seek a therapist who specializes in attachment disorders.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

i can't fathom having to deal with all the stress that you do the only thing i could suggest is maybe when tommy goes for a nap or bedtime make a special time for your son where he can pick a game or something he wants you to play with him and give him that undevided attention. my other concern is that if it gets to out of control you might not be able to reel him back in and in that case i would seak some outside help with the behavior problems.. good luck i know none of this is easy for you at all.

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

I really feel for you! Hang in there! I would definately try to find something constructive to keep him as busy as possible. Sometimes when my boys get like this, it's b/c they are bored and up to no good. I know that's not always possible, but worth a try...
Also, look into finding some help. A babysitter so that you can get some time for yourself at least once a week? Or go on a date with your Husband one night. Time away from my young boys always seems to help me. My mother used to insist on a hot bubble bath EVERY NIGHT. Dad had to watch us even though he worked a long day himself. It was my Mom's escape and relaxation to look forward to. Good luck finding what works for your family. I agree with the other posts that he will outgrow this. You just need to keep addressing what is appropriate and not with him to teach him what's acceptable in your house. I hope you have a better day today!

I haven't read the other posts, but know you are not alone. My boys have gone through similar phases after each of their sisters were born. For the destroying, I put them outside in our yard with their tonka trucks and told them they couldn't come inside until they were covered head to toe in dirt! They had a blast and still do that pretty regularly. If you can find an outlet for their destructiveness, then you can control it, more or less. They have also had escaping phases where they venture out into the world sans parents and scare the bleep out of me. I enjoy the destructive phase now.

Hang in there and get creative. Maybe you need a secret passage way to China???

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Dottie

Mom to Michael 6, Matthew 4, Katherine 2, Ellen 1, and new baby EDD 10/29/08