Those w/OCD or have children w/OCD

coasterqueen wrote: I give you MASSIVE props. First off let me say I'm not posting this to offend anyone and I hope I don't unintentionally.

My 7 year old niece (2 weeks shy of 7) has OCD. I spent last Thursday through Monday with her last week camping and then she came back with us on the 6.5 hour drive. That drive was the longest drive of my entire life. She had to use the bathroom every 1/2 hour. You guessed it, we stopped TWELVE times before we ever got home. I thought I was going to lose my mind. I broke down crying in the stall 1/2 way home because between the girls fighting, Megan screaming because she kept getting woke up w/every stop and then stopping every 1/2 hour I just couldn't take it anymore. I ended up driving the last 2 hours and I drove so fast I didn't care.

Well she's in town for 3 weeks. So she's spending some time at my IL's and then some time w/us. I picked her up when I got off at noon today and I had all 3 girls til Dh got home at 5 pm. I decided to take them to the craft store, which is 12 miles away, so we could get something to make for their dads for FD. We stopped on the way to the craft store, had to get all 3 kids out so she could go to the bathroom. We went also at the craft store and had to stop on the way home too. She threw a tantrum in the craft store. I was floored! Course I know that doesn't have to do with OCD.

Her and Kylie have done nothing but compete with each other non-stop. My niece keeps asking me every 5 minutes (NO JOKE!!!!!!!!!!) "is it ok if my chin touched this"..."is it ok if I walked like this"......"is it ok if I thought about this" etc etc etc etc.

I thought my spirited children drained me of life on a daily basis but my niece takes the cake. I have to give her mother, my SIL, the golden medal. I just don't know how she does it. I honestly thought I could never be drained by someone more than Kylie and I was proved wrong.

For those of you who have OCD and have to deal with it or those who have children with it..I truly give you soooooooo much credit than you've probably gotten in life. You are INCREDIBLE, seriously.

I feel so bad that I think negative thoughts sometimes about my niece (like wishing this 3 weeks would go 100x faster ) but I just don't think I'm mentally capable of dealing with something like this.

God give me the strength to make it through the next 3 weeks. Thankfully I don't have her full time. I have a feeling I'm going to have her more than I thought because my MIL had her 3 days and called me begging to take her because she's just drained beyond belief. I love having her because she's my niece and Kylie loves her, but ..........

C&K*s Mommie replied: oh Karen, I wish it were better for you. BIG hugs to you, your mother, and her mother too.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Oh Karen!! Bless you I wouldn't be able to deal with that at all. I'm not cut out for it, either.

Is she staying the night with you tonight? And what on earth was she doing in the bathroom? does she have to potty that often or wash her hands?

I don't blame you one bit for being stressed out. I would be ripping my hair out. (just being honest ) I think it's a lot different if you have them from day one and are accustomed to it, but being thrown into that position has to be so hard.

coasterqueen replied:
Yes, she is staying the night. I started crying profusely so Dh put them downstairs to watch a movie. You know I am not sure I could even deal with that on a daily basis, course I never thought I could with Kylie either.

She was going to the bathroom every time. It was a tinkle or two every time. After 3 times on the way home on Monday I BEGGED her to empty her bladder instead of just a bit at a time. Didn't work.

My MIL is going to pick her and Kylie up tomorrow afternoon and keep them overnight. Tomorrow afternoon isn't going to come quick enough.

luvbug00 replied: OCD = MYA and Brad.

Hope you can make it threw.

gr33n3y3z replied: Hats off for you for putting up with the Bathroom issue
Once I would have figured it out it was only a tad bit that would have been the END of the every half hour deal of stopping.
Unless she has medical issues.

You will get through this ok hang in there Karen

Boys r us replied: Oh Karen!!! WE joke around that Braedon is OCD b/c before he lets us touch anything of his he makes us let him inspect our hands to make sure they aren't dirty or even a little damp from washing them...LOL But what you're dealing with is horrible! I KNOW I wouldn't have the patience to deal with a child like that( I kno that sounds terrible). I guess my only suggestion is just to try to remind yourself frequently that she is suffering from something that she has no control over.

Good Luck!!

moped replied:
Good point, try saying that to yourself over and over...........hope you had a good night Karen

coasterqueen replied:
yep, that's what I keep telling myself. I guess that's why we continued to stop on the way home only if she was going just a teeny bit. We were at the mall today and used the restroom many times and once she saw a tiny little bubble of soap on her hands and she freaked out so badly people looked at us as if I was hurting her. She also had to wash her hands at each and every sink in the bathroom. These are mall bathrooms with MANY sinks in them.

amymom replied: Oh Karen, I am sorry you are going through this. Does she take any medication for the OCD? I have heard that there are many advances in treating children with OCD and myabe her mom can look into something.

WOW

TheOaf66 replied: wowie, good luck w/ all that

amynicole21 replied: Wow, Karen. That is a lot to deal with. Is she on any medication? It can't be a pleasant life for her either Poor kid. And poor you!

Boo&BugsMom replied: What would she have done if you just told her no, she couldn't go to the bathroom and had to wait awhile?