What do you do when your child hits you?

August 17, 2009

Its been such a long long summer!

We have had alot of change in our lives in the last 3 months. I know my son is

still reacting to that and we are all starting to settle in again.

Today, our autistic son (3.5), my daughter (2) and myself were happily enjoying

some quality time watching a favorite movie of theirs. He suddenly jumps up,

grabs a handful of hair, and trys to rip it out of my head. We were watching

Monsters Inc. He is not exposed to any violent movies/tv shows and certainly

nothing in the home. I had to pry his fingers off my hair which honestly, was

quite some feat! He was looking me right in the eyes when he did it like HA! I

somehow mostly kept my composure. I was so mad and upset and stunned I really

didn't know what to do. I guess it wasn't so much composure as it was mommy

emotional paralization, that looked like composure.

The only good part (maybe) was a few minutes later he did say " I sorry " even

though he wouldn't look me in the eye. I was so mad at him I hadn't looked at

him since he did it or prompt him to say those words so that was a first.

I just don't get it. I feel like I am treading water and sinking. I feel like I

am failing him. I don't have any idea what the " right " reaction is to behavior

like that, or how to prevent it. And whatever doctor told me when we were

getting diagnosed that " We know you've been through the war already. It gets

better. " Needs to be squarely kicked in the shins. Ofcourse I google for

information and all I get back is info on parents hitting kids, not the other

way around.

What can I do or should I do... or atleast tell me i'm not alone in this boat.

TIA,

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