Jon and Kate Plus Eight

nikki1920 · #1 03-30-2009, 08:57 AM

Mady is what, 7? She's a "normal" child that gets annoyed with her younger siblings. Diagnosing a major affective disorder from a reality tv show is probably not the most valid method.

KSUViolet06 · #2 03-30-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki1920

Mady is what, 7? She's a "normal" child that gets annoyed with her younger siblings. Diagnosing a major affective disorder from a reality tv show is probably not the most valid method.

Agreed. Especially when there are that many other kids in the home.

I babysit for a family of 4 and they have a 7 yr old daughter, and guess how she acts when annoyed with her little sisters and brother (who are 9, 5, and 3)? Yep, just like that.

Particularly when they are in her room/space or mess with her toys and things when she doesn't want them to.

Lots of:

[whiney voice]

"Oh my God you guys are soooo annoying!"
"Get OUUUUUT of my roooom" (followed by "Ow, Becky hit me!" from one of the others if they don't move fast enough)
"Mooovveeee."
"Gosh, leave my stuff aloneeeee *cry*"
"I hate youuuu"
"Leave me aloooone *smacks little sister*

[/whiney voice]

It's not okay for her to kick/hit them AT ALL. But there's nothing abnormal about it. I defintely don't think therapy is necessary. All Mom and Dad do is make sure they stick her in time out and let her know that it's not okay. Eventually as she gets older, it will stop.

ForeverRoses · #3 03-30-2009, 09:49 AM

I don't think Mady NEEDS therapy, however I can see how it might benefit her. She has trouble finding the appropriate way to vent her frustrations- so maybe therapy would help her find better ways to express her frustrations and feel empowered.

So I guess she would be fine if she didn't go, but the right therapist might do wonders for her.

Then again, I am pretty pro-therapy as a way for self improvement.

paulam · #4 03-30-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Agreed. Especially when there are that many other kids in the home.

I babysit for a family of 4 and they have a 7 yr old daughter, and guess how she acts when annoyed with her little sisters and brother (who are 9, 5, and 3)? Yep, just like that.

Particularly when they are in her room/space or mess with her toys and things when she doesn't want them to.

Lots of:

[whiney voice]

"Oh my God you guys are soooo annoying!"
"Get OUUUUUT of my roooom" (followed by "Ow, Becky hit me!" from one of the others if they don't move fast enough)
"Mooovveeee."
"Gosh, leave my stuff aloneeeee *cry*"
"I hate youuuu"
"Leave me aloooone *smacks little sister*

[/whiney voice]

It's not okay for her to kick/hit them AT ALL. But there's nothing abnormal about it. I defintely don't think therapy is necessary. All Mom and Dad do is make sure they stick her in time out and let her know that it's not okay. Eventually as she gets older, it will stop.

I hope everyone is right because the consequences of ignoring a developing pattern of destructive behavior can be dire. I spent many years dealing with a step-child with bi-polar disorder which both his parents refused to address. He is now an adult in continous therapy, thank goodness. I always worried about how he treated my children and slept with one eye and ear open all the years he lived with us. My evaluation of the Gosselin's situation is based on years of experience. I hope I am wrong but I can't ignore what I see. It could not hurt to have Mady evaluated and may do her a lot of good. Ignoring her "tantrums" will accomplish nothing.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

KSUViolet06 · #5 03-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulam

I hope everyone is right because the consequences of ignoring a developing pattern of destructive behavior can be dire. I spent many years dealing with a step-child with bi-polar disorder which both his parents refused to address. He is now an adult in continous therapy, thank goodness. I always worried about how he treated my children and slept with one eye and ear open all the years he lived with us. My evaluation of the Gosselin's situation is based on years of experience. I hope I am wrong but I can't ignore what I see. It could not hurt to have Mady evaluated and may do her a lot of good. Ignoring her "tantrums" will accomplish nothing.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

I wouldn't go as far as to say she's exhibiting bi-polar behaviors.

I'm sorry you experienced this, but honestly, if Mady is bi-polar, then so is every other 7 year old I've ever encountered.