Day of pouring rain with 3.5 year-old ADHD/ODD son -- ideas?

[diabolique]

Hi, everyone!

I have a tendency to not say a whole lot about the problems and issues I'm having related to my 3.5 year-old son, Noah.  Really, getting into it all just brings me to tears.  By the way, if you're wondering what ODD is, it's Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and it's a bit of a nightmare (if you Google it, you'll see the behaviors associated with it and know what I mean).

In any case, it's super crappy outside today. Cloudy, gray and pouring rain with occasional thunder. I feel like I've exhausted everything I know of to keep my son occupied. Due to his behavior issues, it's not as simple as just hopping in the car and taking him someplace fun -- trips like that generally involve massive meltdowns and we've been asked to leave places before. Does anyone have any ideas for things I might be able to do with him at home? I really don't like to just have him sitting in front of the TV. 

 

[JR1030]

Sometimes I set up obstacle courses at home for my kids...do a somersault on this pillow, crawl under this blanket, jump off the couch, etc.  My kids also love to play with anything "messy".   A bin of rice or oatmeal (or even pasta) with measuring cups and stuff...even if a lot spills, it's pretty easy to sweep up.  You can also make "Oobleck"...just a bunch of corn starch and a bit of water...experiment with amounts to find the right consistency.  When you get it just right, it will have the properties of a solid and a liquid.  Let me keep thinking and see if I come up with anything else.

[Apopli]

This may not be helpful/what you're looking for, but just in case, I feel I have to say it: It's okay to have a day here and there in front of the tv!

Though that's coming from a person who can't let her child in front of the tv before lunch, and never for very long (unless he's sick), or there are resulting behavioural problems, so I know it's not always an option.

Do you have drop-sheets/tarps? Some paint, paper, and old clothes could result in a very fun fingers/toes painting session! Even cleanup could turn into a bubble bath and may be fun! My son has pretty bad sensory defensiveness problems so he was never down with it, but the little girl I used to babysit could go at it for hours!

Home made play dough is always fun, too! Especially making it, if you don't mind cleaning a bit of flour up.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
Mix well until it forms a ball. Knead add food coloring if desired. If sticky add some flour and if to dry add a small amount of water.

[JR1030]

Yeah, I don't know how your son is with water, but my 4 year old always asks for "long playing baths"...that's where he gets a bunch of toys...funnels, turkey baster, measuring cups, etc. -- and he doesn't have to wash his hair. 

[diabolique]

Thanks for the ideas! The problem (well, one of the problems) with an ADHD kid (not medicated) is that nothing entertains him for very long, so by the time I get something set up, he's lost interest and has starting destroying things around the house and tormenting the dogs. *sigh*  And, the ODD causes other issues.

However, I do like the idea of setting up an obstacle course for him because it might help him burn off some energy. Also, I do have finger paints and paper, and I could use an old sheet on the floor. Normally, we do stuff like that outside on the deck, but it's still pouring. The last time there was a day like this, I broke down and let him do the slip-n-slide in the pouring rain! There wasn't any thunder or lightning, so he just got really muddy and had a blast. The neighbors were looking out their windows at us (I was on the slip-n-slide too) like we were insane! I still can't decide whether I was a really good mom that day, or a really bad mom.  


JR -- My son LOVES bathtime! If we do finger painting or I break down and get out the slip-n-slide again, I'm sure that's where we'll end up -- in the tub!

I may also experiment with making some goopy substances for us to play with.

Keep the ideas coming!

[forkyfork]

I was going to say its ok to let him play in the rain but I wasnt sure if he had issues with the feeling. BTW...never move to Cleveland, it rains for days on end.
You have enough on your mind without worrying about what the neighbors think. As long as its not dangerous or too cold whats the difference between that and wasting water turning the sprinkler on.

I also second the TV motion, sometimes it is what it is. 

[fluffy pluffy]

I have a over-energetic little sister,about your son's age,that I baby-sit most of the time. Unfortunately,I can't remember how I keep her entertained,so maybe this will help any? 

[diabolique]

Luckily, Noah doesn't have any sensory issues. He loves to get wet and dirty! 

Forkyfork -- THANK YOU for reminding me that I really do have too much to worry about without adding worry about what the stupid neighbors think! You're right!

Fluffypluffy -- Thanks for the link, there are some good ideas in there 

In the past couple of hours, we have: played limbo with a broom (Noah's idea), gone for a bike ride in the rain, played a couple of games, made a tent with blankets and couch cushions, fed the ratties together, eaten lunch, colored, and watched some TV. Right now we're heading off for a nap in mommy's bed (I'm tired too!). After the nap: if it's still raining, I think we'll be finger painting. If not, maybe fishing at the park?

[JR1030]

The last time there was a day like this, I broke down and let him do the slip-n-slide in the pouring rain! There wasn't any thunder or lightning, so he just got really muddy and had a blast. The neighbors were looking out their windows at us (I was on the slip-n-slide too) like we were insane! I still can't decide whether I was a really good mom that day, or a really bad mom.  

You were an awesome mom that day!     I haven't been able to sign on, so I just caught up with this thread...did you come up with any other creative ideas?

[rattietayls]

When I play with my 6 and 4 year old cousins, they always loved to make a fort.
Get a few chairs, or couches if you want a big one 
and put them together, then put blankets over top. It should mostly be dark in the fort.
Then I always brought a desk lamp in, (the fort would be near an outlet) and I would put the cord in and outlet outside the fort.
Its also fun to sleep in there if you have a sleeping bag, or lots of blankets and pillows; I always put lots of pillows and blankets
in there in the start anyways, to make it cozy. You can also bring games, and food in there. I used to love to pretend that
I was camping in a tent when I was little, and it was raining outside. Hope I helped, this was my favorite when I was little 

[jesirose]

I hope you don't find this an offensive question and you don't have to answer, but why isn't he on meds?

I was diagnosed with ADD when I was very young, and only took meds for a few months. Then I had to wait until I was 21 to start taking them again - and the difference is night and day. I can honestly say that I really wish I had been taking something and also just been aware that I had it when I was younger - I probably wouldn't have had so much trouble in school and then dropped out of college twice. (obviously at his young age school isn't an issue yet but I wanted to mention it).

I don't want to start a debate but I am curious why he's not using any medication.


As for ideas, there are SO many different crafts you can do with household items. I see you said you colored but what about building stuff with Popsicle sticks, or making hand puppets, etc. Just get a huge bin and toss $20 worth of stuff from Joann's in, and let him pull out whatever he wants and just make stuff with it - no setup needed.

When my brother was that age he loved racing toy cars and practicing funny faces with me. (I'm 14 years older btw)

Also - the TV isn't that bad There are some good shows for little kids.

[RatAttack59]

My younger daughter - now 16 - has ODD. She's never been medicated and right now is doing great.  With her, the key was consistancy (even in the case of screaming tirades).  Works much better if I keep my temper, and as a single parent it's tough to maintain objectivity.

Looks like you've gotten lots of good creative ideas - it's t-storming here now, but if it weren't I might have been tempted to do yard bowling.  This works best if the grass is wet and you have a moderately sloped yard:

Up the hill. place a large bucket with the open end facing down hill (large drywall sized is good)
The object of the game is to send the bowling ball into the bucket.  Sometimes it stands up on its own, sometimes it swings around and faces the other way.  Agree on a points sheme in advance, but any roll that gets the ball into the bucket - even if it doesn't stay there - gets points.
(this is also a hoot with a crowd of semi-inebriated adults).

Nerf frisbees are indoor safe.  Target used to have them. I think I still have half a dozen in the house. We also have two light-up frisbees for night games.

Hope the day ends well!