What state do they live in? I *thought* most states provided Medicaid for all children without insurance. Insurance should cover counseling. Something to look into.
I think it's great you're willing to help out. It really does take a village.
DS does have health insurance through work, but it's limited coverage. Counseling is not covered.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
Is he limiting screen time with tv, video, Ipad, etc? Taking away everything until she starts to earn items back with good behavior?
Has there been any major changes in her schedule or home life?
No major changes. He said it kind of started up when she got out of kindergarten for the summer. Her schedule is about the same. They moved into the apartment they're at now in November.
That's a major change though! Is she seeing friends over the summer? Maybe getting some structure back into her day will help?
ETA: I second the Boys & Girls Club idea. They are extremely reasonable (with a small annual fee, like $25 at least around here) your son can do dropoff as much as he wants during the weeks. Swim lessons etc. are additional charge, but the dropoff service includes a ton of group activities and games. It really sounds to me like she needs some structure to her day, and contact with other 6yo's. Good luck!
PS: I'm also glad you posted because you mentioned something a while ago about taking a plane ride to a work thing, didn't you? And then I saw that AK plane crash. So clearly I worried about that being your flight, AK being so small and all ....
What state do they live in? I *thought* most states provided Medicaid for all children without insurance. Insurance should cover counseling. Something to look into.
I think it's great you're willing to help out. It really does take a village.
My sister had medicaid and it didn't cover counselors. At least not the ones we met with.
This is why I think some kids need one good ass-kicking.
I will admit to thinking this about a kid relative of mine. And it takes me a lot to think this of any kid. But kid relative is terrible, as in worst behaved kid I've ever met.
I'm going to agree with those who suggested day camp or other activities.
I understand where Gypsy is coming from, but GD is relatively well behaved in public. She does what she's told--at least when she's around me. She's not one of those hellions you see.
But like I said before, she's sneaky. Not like a teenager or an adult, but she's a sly one. DS#1 was kind of like that too. He picked on DS#2 a lot, but it was done in a subtle manner. But none of my kids snuck out of the house when they were at her age, which is why this is really confusing me. Something's up with her for sure.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
As to day camps, are you okay with religion? Don't know how it is where you live, but here many of the churches offer one or two week day camps that are free for anyone in the community.
The girls have state aid and it does cover counseling. It might be different because it's DSHS/CPS coverage but it's pretty darn good coverage for what it is.
There are a number of counselors who operate on a sliding scale, often subsidized by government or private funds (Catholic Charities is a big one that comes to mind. They're who subsidized GD's daycare in Ohio (for low-income, not for us), their current counseling and also DS's counselor in Ohio. It's quite common to find them with "full-service" counselors and children's counseling services.
The YMCA has scholarship programs available for lower income families and can subsidize daycare and daycamps. It sounds like that is a great start for her and she needs stimulation. Kayleigh and Cadence tried to run away a couple times because they were bored and wanted to go to the store to buy a toy they wanted that mom wouldn't buy them. (Yeah, my thoughts exactly.) Keeping her occupied will alleviate a lot of the aggression and problem behaviors at her age. (So sayeth the grandma of the 7 year old with discipline and emotional problems and ADHD. She's so much less of a handful when she's occupied.) Boys and Girls Clubs is also an excellent organization; they can find a younger "peer" big-sister to do things with her, or she can attend the club and play with kids her own age. What she needs, I think, is to get out of the house, and that's what she's telling you all with the running away.
Good luck Flex. I hope you and your son get things figured out.
J had behavior problems when she was younger related to her PTSD. I highly recommend the contact window/door alarms. You can put them anywhere (even as a renter) and they are loud! Chain locks are good too if he can attach one to his apartment door.
Check into city/county day camps as well. The ones here have income based tuition help. So do CYO and YMCA camps. Even something like taking her to the local pool for swim time or crafts at the library might help.
share.memebox.com/x/uKhKaZmemebox referal code for 20% off! DD1 "J" born 3/2003 DD2 "G" born 4/2011 DS is here! "H" born 2/2014 m/c#3 1-13-13 @ 9 weeks m/c#2 11-11-12 @ 5w2d I am an extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, pro marriage equality, birth control lovin', Catholic mama.
I don't want to be a Debby Downer but the Y and Boys & Girls Club summer camps fill up fast. When I worked for the Y we were full for the whole summer in the beginning of May. I'd still look into them if I were you or your son though. It can't hurt.
The library story times are a good idea or what about a play date with a school friend? Once a week or something else routine that she can look forward to. Any local cousins that could come over/she could go to their house? VBS is also a good idea if religious stuff isn't an issue.
I don't want to be a Debby Downer but the Y and Boys & Girls Club summer camps fill up fast. When I worked for the Y we were full for the whole summer in the beginning of May. I'd still look into them if I were you or your son though. It can't hurt.
The library story times are a good idea or what about a play date with a school friend? Once a week or something else routine that she can look forward to. Any local cousins that could come over/she could go to their house? VBS is also a good idea if religious stuff isn't an issue.
Believe me, I KNOW how quickly B&G Club fills up in the summer. All three of my boys went through their program in the 90's. They have a wonderful summer program, and even back then it filled up quickly. You're preaching to the choir. lol
Unfortunately DS doesn't have time from work to take GD to the library or a play date. Not sure what GD's other grandmother's schedule looks like so I can't speak for her. : ) VBS is an excellent idea--all three of my boys did that too, but with GD's escapee attitude, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea right now. VBS doesn't seem to have as stringent monitoring as a day camp has. At least in my experience.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
Post by karmasabiotch on Jul 8, 2013 19:44:35 GMT -5
Many camps offer scholarships and all you have to go us ask. I would have your DS give that a try if he's near a local parks and rec or community education.
Obviously counseling us a good idea.
Does your DS spend designated time with her? Kind she can look at the click and know at 7:00 she gets his time until bedtime no matter how she acts? Books or a game before bed or done other calming activity.
Also, if her Mom isn't involved maybe she could benefit from a Big Brithers/Big Susters type of program.
Karma, GD's mom passed away a month shy of her first birthday. DS#1 is bringing her up by himself. He does have our(grandmothers) to help, but he's doing it on his own. That's why I think perhaps he needs to focus on her a little bit more, but I know how it goes with being a parent full-time and being tired at the end of the work day. **sigh**
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
Karma, GD's mom passed away a month shy of her first birthday. DS#1 is bringing her up by himself. He does have our(grandmothers) to help, but he's doing it on his own. That's why I think perhaps he needs to focus on her a little bit more, but I know how it goes with being a parent full-time and being tired at the end of the work day. **sigh**
Would he ever think of looking into some sort of support group for parents in his situation? I think it would be nice to know at least a few people who "get" what you are going through. My mom went to a group for a while after my dad died and I think it helped her. Or even a playgroup.
I realize with all of this, time and energy is an issue. The way you speak about him here, it sounds like he has been doing a wonderful job.
Karma, GD's mom passed away a month shy of her first birthday. DS#1 is bringing her up by himself. He does have our(grandmothers) to help, but he's doing it on his own. That's why I think perhaps he needs to focus on her a little bit more, but I know how it goes with being a parent full-time and being tired at the end of the work day. **sigh**
Would he ever think of looking into some sort of support group for parents in his situation? I think it would be nice to know at least a few people who "get" what you are going through. My mom went to a group for a while after my dad died and I think it helped her. Or even a playgroup.
I realize with all of this, time and energy is an issue. The way you speak about him here, it sounds like he has been doing a wonderful job.
He is doing a great job, and I'm very proud of him.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
When I ran a private arts day camp we had bursaries (full or partial) that were always available if someone asked. If he, or one of the grandmas could call around there has got to be stuff going on.
Does she like reading? In the summers we were all over the library's reading program. You wrote a small review for each book you read and got points to "buy" stuff (stickers, bookmarks, etc.). It was awesome, and FREE.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny