Don't know what to do * Update*

I spoke with the school counsellor yesterday.

She believes strongly hat Evan is dealing with Anxiety.
We suspected he did have some level of anxiety issues but she has confirmed it.
She thinks that the reason we are getting reports from his teachers that he is doing well in class, is settling in really well, enjoys school etc. While at home we get extream mood swings & angry outbursts is because he is working so hard to keep it together at school,then coming home mentally exhausted & just loosing it.
He isn't old enough to really understand these feelings he is having so just lashes out.

So we are on the path to helping him.
We had already started this path for the anxiety that we had seen coming out in him (obsessions) but have jumped forward a fair bit in realising its alot deeper then we had realised at first.
Now we have some "professional" help on our side that will help us help him.

It also helps me remain a little more calm knowing the reasons behind his behaviour.

I'm glad things are looking better.
My DD1 is the same age & was doing much the same things.
I had an interview with her teacher & she told me that Jaz was very teary in class, was behind & was too scared to ask for help.

Since then she has been getting more one on one help with reading & her teacher has been going out of her way to make sure she helps her with everything & she's doing so much better!
I noticed with in about 2 weeks how much her reading had improved. She's improved all round! She's happier, she understands what she has to do better, & her probs at home are improving.

We've been seeing a child psycologist for a few months now.

She's till a very active child always running, jumping & climbing on the furniture & things aren't great yet, but its getting better.

I hope things start to really improve for you too.

DD was prone to angry outbursts and exhibits anxious behaviour. We have found that removing additives from her diet have worked wonders - there is a website from Sue Dengate "Fed Up" and Additive Alert by Julie Eady - also books to go along with it.

It is a bit of a hassle but the rewards for us and her have been enormous.

HTH

FJ I'm glad the talk with the school counsellor helped. I was just reading Pinky's book on 'Toddler Tactics' yesterday and got to the bit on teaching meditation to your little one and thought how good that might be for kids. I'll let you know if I give it a go!

We had a talk at our local school a couple of months ago held by a child psychologist who is a professor at Macquarie University dealing with anxiety in children (and other issues). Apparently they have a clinic there for children (it might be free, at least inexpensive). One of my friends is going to take her DD along. If you are interested in the phone number PM me and I'll get it from her.

I was just talking with Mum & told her about it all & she said it sounds exactly like what she went through with my younger brother BUT she got fobbed off till he was about 14 & by this stage his outbursts had become fists through the car windscreen & then after he would feel so bad about the way he acted he would sit there with a knife & even once hung a rope from the carport & stood on the back of the car ready to hang himself. I never knew about that. Poor Mum! She said she didn't think he would do it but was to scared to turn away (to call for help)while trying to talk him down in case he did.
She said if only she had someone acknowledge her concerns when he was 6 things could have been so much different for him.

Really enforces how important this is for us to get him help now. Im so glad I swollowd my pride & asked for help.
Dh has been helping him with ways to understand his feelings etc but Im so glad he open to outside help & is on my side now that he sees my concerns are validated.

hows everything going fiona-jill??
hope everythings ok rach xxx

Macquarie Uni does run a group for anxious childrn, they have seminars for parents too, maybe you could look into that.