Published on 12, July, 2020
Chloe, my daughter, has just been in meltdown mode for the past 2 days. Everything we do just does not help. She just seems 'stuck', if you know what I mean?
Long story short:
Chloe went out for the afternoon, came home to 100's of spiders in her bedroom, on the ceiling and walls. We got rid of them all but she did not want to sleep in her room which was understandable so slept in with her sister.
The next day, some spiders came back, and she refused to sleep in there again. We have got rid of them again today but she is still refusing to step foot in her room.
She just seems stuck and frozen now. She doesn't know what to do with herself. The tears and meltdowns are constant. She is refusing to eat, shower, do anything and all she is doing is pacing.
What can we do?
Thanks,
Lucy
Update: Thank you so much for all the help! She is now happy in her bedroom again after spending 3 nights with her sister.
Unfortunately Chloe keep having meltdowns or becoming dysregulated. There's not much we can do to help apart from giving her space, intervening when necessary, and reminding her that we are here ready for when she wants to talk or message us. The meltdowns are a few times a day now, when we don't usually get many a month now. I know that with the spiders, the passing of her horse, holiday coming up this week, it is a lot for her to process all in a short period. She is also becoming upset about leaving school, which happened in September. The little things trigger her and it is hard for her siblings to understand that yes, that was the tipping point, but underneath there is so much going on.
And once again, thank you everyone