@abasket you are not alone in judging me as a bad parent. We parents of challenging children are used to it. You assume that I must need to “examine my home routines” because clearly I’m leaving my child in front of a screen.
Since age 1 when the biting began I have consulted experts at the top children’s mental health institutes in NYC. He has had multiple full neuropsychological exams and has had a weekly psychology therapist, OT, etc. since age three.
We don’t own a TV. My kids (one of whom is not challenging at all - same home environment, same parents) don’t know what an app is. Only kid-powered toys allowed in my house. Legos, magnatiles, thinker linkers, zometools, paper and pencils.
My challenging son could teach you a thing or two on a private tour of the American Museums of Natural history, his favorite place in the world (blocks from our house), which he visits every week (sometimes multiple times per week). Want to know about dark matter? The distinguishing feature of placoderms? He’s your kid.
Challenging children are just that: they are children (full of wonder and joy) who are also challenged by things that are easy for other kids to figure out. Parenting them requires a lot of heart, patience and perseverance. It also requires bravery to articulate the problems (not hide from them) and continuously seek the most productive solutions, from experts, teachers, friends and yes - internet forums full of parents sharing experiences about helping their kids reach their full potential.
Thanks.