Guest guest Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 We write everything on the calendar and let my son (12) mark off the days and activities as they occur. Sure helps him. Tonya ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 I got my son a Lego Advent Calendar (he's 11) so he gets to open something every day throughout December. That took some of the edge off the whole anticipation nightmare. Also, in our family we get together on Chrismas Eve and after dinner we each open one gift. That seems to distract him enough so he isn't up all night. > > (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up > till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can > exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him > something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for > Christmas etc... > He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. > He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head > injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can > open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more > gifts for this one & that one etc. > It's really nuts here right now. > Take care,Betty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 , we are opening all our gifts Christmas eve. If he can last. I will do the calendar next yr believe me. Thanks,Betty <ceezeec@...> wrote: I got my son a Lego Advent Calendar (he's 11) so he gets to open something every day throughout December. That took some of the edge off the whole anticipation nightmare. Also, in our family we get together on Chrismas Eve and after dinner we each open one gift. That seems to distract him enough so he isn't up all night. > > (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up > till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can > exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him > something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for > Christmas etc... > He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. > He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head > injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can > open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more > gifts for this one & that one etc. > It's really nuts here right now. > Take care,Betty > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 Hi Betty, I thought I was the only person with a son with extreme behaviour regarding xmas. I too used to enjoy xmas but over the past 13 years of Mathew's life, things changed. The last xmas (before I made a big change) was hell; he screamed and cried, had temper tantrums and fell asleep for maybe 2 hours. My husband was mad, my daughter was upset. It was awful. Last year I decided to ask him what he wanted for xmas. He ended up shopping with me to pick up the stuff and help me put it in the closet. He asked me to wrap it so he could open them. When other gifts arrived in the mail, I hid them so he couldn't see them. On xmas eve I let him open some of his gifts then the rest super early xmas morning. It was so much more peaceful I couldn't believe it. This year we shopped together again. He put it away in my closet and asked me to wrap the gifts. He asked for one surprise in his xmas stocking and also asked for a selection of chocolates. What a difference this has made..... for this house anyway. After 11 ruined xmas (including when he was a baby....) he is much calmer and happier and the rest of us get a somewhat more normal Christmas day. patricia ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 Wow, sounds like a stressful way to live! Can you write the answers down and then when they ask, just point to the paper? Sometimes that helps. Or write down a little step by step guide for receiving gifts for so he can go over it on his own and be reassured as to how he is to act when he gets something. Maybe seeing it in print will help reassure them? Roxanna ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.24/592 - Release Date: 12/18/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 Thanks Roxanna, we are doing social stories about gift receiving. I think he almost gets it. Last night he was up till 12am saying his stomach hurt...again. Betty Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote: Wow, sounds like a stressful way to live! Can you write the answers down and then when they ask, just point to the paper? Sometimes that helps. Or write down a little step by step guide for receiving gifts for so he can go over it on his own and be reassured as to how he is to act when he gets something. Maybe seeing it in print will help reassure them? Roxanna ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.24/592 - Release Date: 12/18/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 Thanks Roxanna, we are doing social stories about gift receiving. I think he almost gets it. Last night he was up till 12am saying his stomach hurt...again. Betty Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote: Wow, sounds like a stressful way to live! Can you write the answers down and then when they ask, just point to the paper? Sometimes that helps. Or write down a little step by step guide for receiving gifts for so he can go over it on his own and be reassured as to how he is to act when he gets something. Maybe seeing it in print will help reassure them? Roxanna ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.24/592 - Release Date: 12/18/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 , wrote out a Christmas shopping list of what he wanted for Christmas. Then we typed in on the computer & sent it out to family. He then was asking who bought what. I can't win. He just is a worry wart. Now his stomach is acting up again. Endo & colonoscopy Jan 2nd. Take care,Betty Bullock <blueztulip@...> wrote: Hi Betty, I thought I was the only person with a son with extreme behaviour regarding xmas. I too used to enjoy xmas but over the past 13 years of Mathew's life, things changed. The last xmas (before I made a big change) was hell; he screamed and cried, had temper tantrums and fell asleep for maybe 2 hours. My husband was mad, my daughter was upset. It was awful. Last year I decided to ask him what he wanted for xmas. He ended up shopping with me to pick up the stuff and help me put it in the closet. He asked me to wrap it so he could open them. When other gifts arrived in the mail, I hid them so he couldn't see them. On xmas eve I let him open some of his gifts then the rest super early xmas morning. It was so much more peaceful I couldn't believe it. This year we shopped together again. He put it away in my closet and asked me to wrap the gifts. He asked for one surprise in his xmas stocking and also asked for a selection of chocolates. What a difference this has made..... for this house anyway. After 11 ruined xmas (including when he was a baby....) he is much calmer and happier and the rest of us get a somewhat more normal Christmas day. patricia ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 Oh the frustration. I can feel for you. My youngest gets 'stuck' on things, too. Maybe, if you can have any time (DO any of us, though?) You can reward him for every hour that he is home and only asks his questions one time during that hour? And perhaps at night, a reward for the morning if he listens when you reply to him ONLY ONCE (or twice, but try once) and he doesn't fuss (even though I understand why he wants to, it is genuine concern on his part) and you can write the questions and answers on a poster, and he can look at it when he is in bed, so he has all of the answers of the questions?!?! Just a thought. IT is just, IMHO his way to make sure everything will be right and he feels so validated when you say it is. From someone who gets it,, B > > (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up > till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can > exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him > something dumb & he won't show appreciation,how many days are left for > Christmas etc... > He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. > He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head > injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can > open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more > gifts for this one & that one etc. > It's really nuts here right now. > Take care,Betty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Poor ; I wouldn't want endo or a colonoscopy either. What if, after the xmas list is sent out, people write back with what they bought? He can have his list and update it. For us, it was the not knowing (on Mathew's part) that caused all the anxiety. I was exhausted over xmas; basically until the stores closed I ran errands and window-shopped just to keep Mathew busy. Once the stores closed then we went to a neighbour's house for a while and then came home. Mathew opened a gift each morning and evening from the 22nd on, and at the stroke of midnight on xmas eve/xmas day he opened the remaining gifts. He puttered until 2 am or so and when we got up on xmas morning (late) he helped me open my gifts. He only had one major meltdown in the 3 days before xmas and that was on the Friday afternoon. That was when I decided to run the roads with him. It is hard for my husband to break with tradition though and that's where the problems come in. He has his way of doing things and wants to carry on with those traditions. That is okay where normal families are concerned but not in our situation. Has 's stomach settled at all? ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 , I had to actually reschedule 's Endoscopy & Colonoscopy for the weekend of the 5th instead of having it done on the 2nd simply because he wants to party (eat) on New Years Eve. The Hospital had no problem with that. is happier too. He loved all his presents also & so did . Glad it's over though. Take care,Betty Bullock <blueztulip@...> wrote: Poor ; I wouldn't want endo or a colonoscopy either. What if, after the xmas list is sent out, people write back with what they bought? He can have his list and update it. For us, it was the not knowing (on Mathew's part) that caused all the anxiety. I was exhausted over xmas; basically until the stores closed I ran errands and window-shopped just to keep Mathew busy. Once the stores closed then we went to a neighbour's house for a while and then came home. Mathew opened a gift each morning and evening from the 22nd on, and at the stroke of midnight on xmas eve/xmas day he opened the remaining gifts. He puttered until 2 am or so and when we got up on xmas morning (late) he helped me open my gifts. He only had one major meltdown in the 3 days before xmas and that was on the Friday afternoon. That was when I decided to run the roads with him. It is hard for my husband to break with tradition though and that's where the problems come in. He has his way of doing things and wants to carry on with those traditions. That is okay where normal families are concerned but not in our situation. Has 's stomach settled at all? ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 That is awesome you changed his appointment so could have himself a nice New Year's! I hope his tummy, etc, don't cause any discomfort with the party food : ). Good luck with the procedure next week. ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 He was so happy he could party with food. His favorite thing. Next week it is. Betty Bullock <blueztulip@...> wrote: That is awesome you changed his appointment so could have himself a nice New Year's! I hope his tummy, etc, don't cause any discomfort with the party food : ). Good luck with the procedure next week. ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 His favourite thing is to party or to eat? Or both : } Is he getting nervous about the procedure now that New Year's is over? Personally I am dreading Mathew's return to school next week and the next onslaught of teasing, bullying and other stuff that I constantly have to deal with..... ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 His favorite is first to eat then to party. LOL. He says to buy him lots drinks for the cleasing. So he is ready & knows what he has to do. What is the school's prinipal doing about all the bulling & teasing?? Betty Bullock <blueztulip@...> wrote: His favourite thing is to party or to eat? Or both : } Is he getting nervous about the procedure now that New Year's is over? Personally I am dreading Mathew's return to school next week and the next onslaught of teasing, bullying and other stuff that I constantly have to deal with..... ( ) Opsessing... (age14)can't sleep due to opsessing over Christmas.He was up till 2AM last night crying. He is worried about what time we can exchange gifts,if he is getting what he wanted,will people get him something dumb & he won't show appreciation, how many days are left for Christmas etc... He is driving us crazy & I used to love Christmas now it's a hassle. He starts this about a month before hand every year. Also our head injuries son (age38) is also OCD & wants to know if we can open gifts Christams eve,when will people get here,can he buy more gifts for this one & that one etc. It's really nuts here right now. Take care,Betty ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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