Dear Faith, It seems whenever we need to get something done, my 3.5yo son either flops down and makes himself into a dead-weight, or runs away and makes himself physically impossible to get to. After bath he runs immediately and hides in the corner behind the rocking chair, which makes it nearly impossible for me to get to him. I am frustrated by this, and have even considered taking the rocking chair from his room – though that’s where we read stories and snuggle before nap. Should I do that? Should I just remove it so we don’t have this recurrent temptation for him? I wish I could keep better composure when this happens, but I get so frustrated in the moment because i need to accomplish something and he won’t come along or even help, or let me do it for him.
Dear Mama,
One more thought: It seems to me that he “makes himself physically impossible to get to” because that gets him lots of attention/energy from you. If you really don’t have the energy for playfulness, then change things up by putting absolutely NO energy into it. Instead, just ignore him and do something else: start folding the laundry, or sweeping the floor, or tidying up, or whatever it is. Then when he comes out, give him a big welcome and an infusion of positive energy. This may help diminish the struggle and minimize the time he spends running away.
Warmly, ~Faith Collins