Dear Dr. Renee,
When my remote learner finishes school for the day, he is WIRED. He is so wound up he can’t stay still and doesn’t listen to anything I say or ask him to do. He is usually such a sweet boy but we’re fighting all the time and I hate it! What can I do?
– Katherine
Dear Katherine,
That sounds rough! It is hard to be stuck in fighting mode when all you want to do is love your kids. You did not mention how old your son is, so I will answer this broadly.
The pandemic has been hard on all of us! That is not an excuse for your son’s behavior, but it could be part of the explanation. My guess is that as a remote learner, he has had to sit still and answer questions most of the day. At “In Person” school kids move a lot between areas in the room and around the school. Also, their range of vision would include many more things than a computer screen.
See if the two of you can come up with a list of 5 quick “wiggly” things he could do in between classes or immediately after school. It could be 10 jumping jacks or throwing dirty laundry into his laundry basket.
He could run out of his room to hug you and then zip back to his seat. You might think this hug idea only works with younger children. However, my high schooler does this every occasionally, just to get out of her room and away from her desk. It is also her secret way of asking if she can have ice cream…
I’d love to hear what ideas you brainstorm together – please comment below or send me an email at DrRenee@HelpingParentsParent.com.
Hang in there!
–Dr. Renee
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