biting nails, regressing

August 16, 2006

Hi, Sharon. I really agonized over sending my youngest to kindergarten as

well. I didn't know she had OCD but I knew she had something. Like you, I did

home daycare and had never been away from me. She did really well to my

surprise. She was afraid of the bathrooms and would not talk in front of the

whole class but she would talk to other kids and the adults in the room.

When there was a sub and she called on , the whole class would say, " She's

here but she doesn't talk to groups! " did have some issues with worms

when she started school--talking about them a lot and even " seeing " them in her

shoes and on her body. I would walk into a room to see her pull long,

imaginary worms off of herself! I spoke to a counselor who said it was stress

and

anxiety and that it would calm down. She was right. liked going to

school and that was what mattered to me most. Good luck. Put on a brave face

and

tell her what to expect and let the teacher know what is going on. They are

used to kids adjusting and the right person can make all the difference for a

child. Kelley in NV

August 16, 2006

My ocder is 5 yo. She starts kindergarten in 3 weeks (YIKES!). I am sure she

is worried/stressed about it, although she hasnt said much. About a year and a

half ago she started biting her nails, down to her skin. She did it a few

months, then stopped on her own. Every once in awhile she does it a little

again, but not for long. I have noticed her doing it again, very short again,

but not to the skin, yet. She was in OT when she was biting them in the past

and we got a chew tube for her to chew on instead, or give her gum to chew on.

I have been doing that, but she is still biting. Any suggestions on helping her

stop?

Also, one of her worries in the past (hasnt worried about it in a long time) was

growing up and not wanting to. Last night at bed time she got so sad, makes the

SADDEST faces, and was crying that she doesnt want to be a grown up because she

will have to move to her own house and she will miss me. I feel so bad that a

child so young gets so upset about things like this. I am pretty sure it is

really about kindergarten and feeling like she will miss me then, though. Any

suggestions on this one? I have a home daycare, so she has been at home with me

and is not used to going to school or being gone from home every day. She will

only be 1/2 day, so it is only about 3 hours, but still more than she is used

to.

SHe does go to therapy, we have cut down to an as needed basis. I think it is

time to schedule another appt. :0)

Sharon

August 16, 2006

sharon - I keep all home with me too - that's why they're glad to go to

full day kindergarten - LOL!!! no really the night before her first day

I thought might be a problem but she was only concerned that a bad

person might take her because I always tell them to stay by mom or that

could happen - I talked her through the whole day and how at every

point there would be a big person there to make sure she's safe like I

do

we also visited the school a few times prior - not even for comfort

measure (to drop off stuff) but I'm sure it helped - it helped me -

LOL!! That was so horrible - now I'm a BIT more relaxed sending the

next to kindergarten - the 2nd grader has to start a 2nd-5th school -

I wish they'd go off together - well we'llor maybe paint her nails??? -

and visit school even the outside playground if they don't let you in

good luck - we'll cry together the first day!!! :-(

Eileen

)Quoting kidsnpets <sdonovan1@...>:

> My ocder is 5 yo. She starts kindergarten in 3 weeks (YIKES!). I am

> sure she is worried/stressed about it, although she hasnt said much.

> About a year and a half ago she started biting her nails, down to her

> skin. She did it a few months, then stopped on her own. Every once

> in awhile she does it a little again, but not for long. I have

> noticed her doing it again, very short again, but not to the skin,

> yet. She was in OT when she was biting them in the past and we got a

> chew tube for her to chew on instead, or give her gum to chew on. I

> have been doing that, but she is still biting. Any suggestions on

> helping her stop?

>

> Also, one of her worries in the past (hasnt worried about it in a

> long time) was growing up and not wanting to. Last night at bed time

> she got so sad, makes the SADDEST faces, and was crying that she

> doesnt want to be a grown up because she will have to move to her own

> house and she will miss me. I feel so bad that a child so young gets

> so upset about things like this. I am pretty sure it is really about

> kindergarten and feeling like she will miss me then, though. Any

> suggestions on this one? I have a home daycare, so she has been at

> home with me and is not used to going to school or being gone from

> home every day. She will only be 1/2 day, so it is only about 3

> hours, but still more than she is used to.

>

> SHe does go to therapy, we have cut down to an as needed basis. I

> think it is time to schedule another appt. :0)

> Sharon

>

August 16, 2006

Thanks Eileen. I KNOW I will be crying! Dh and I talked a bit this morning

about it. We were so undecided about sending her this year or holding her back

(July bday, amoung her other issues), but decided to send her. Everyone kept

telling us she is ready, she will do great. Ugh. I hope so. I guess if it

goes that awful, we can pull her out and try next year, or redo 1/2 day K next

year if she isnt ready for all day 1st grade a year from now. It is so hard to

know what is best.

We have been at the school several times, inside and out. They are doing LOTS

of work inside, so she hasnt gotten to see it all together except once last

winter. We have been ot the playground a lot, and she did 2 weeks of morning

camp there. I am sure that has helped. We have taken lots of pics of her

there, inside and out. I feel like I have done all I can do to prepare her.

The week before school starts, we will meet the teacher, etc. I just hate the

thought that she might be miserable. She is worried about being the youngest

and smallest, which she probably will be.

Sharon

Re: biting nails, regressing