It is a common story, one that you've heard many, many times. The first time was just to make him feel better after he had gotten a "boo boo." You know, take the edge off. Take his mind off the searing pain associated with a scraped knee. The reaction was incredible, as he relaxed immediately and went into an almost semi-trance.
Then one day, out of the blue for no reason he asked for it again. "But you're not even hurt or in pain." I said. So he made up some phantom pains that he felt "all over." I even thought at the time that it was a little like an addict inventing symptoms so his doctor would re-fill his prescription.
After he saw how gullible I was, he got demanding.
If he doesn't get it, he gets upset. "But mooooommy, I need some now." He'll complain. He has actually sent me out in the middle of the night (in a not so safe neighborhood) in order to replenish his supply. And, I have to admit, I'd probably do it again.
It is a daily thing now. Sometimes it can be two or three times a day. It is out of control. We both ignore the stinging reality that it is a full blown problem. He pretends everything is normal, but I know it's not when I see the remnants of his usage left carelessly on the table or on the floor. Sometimes I even find evidence of his addiction when I'm cleaning his shower. And that is when I lose it, and cry for the little boy my son used to be.
Hubby insists he goes cold turkey and stop his using immediately. But then when he sees the quivering lips and the perceived trickle of tears he knows I don't have the strength to do it. So he pretends too. That everything is okay. He enables my enabling. We are a sick family.
I am faced with the very real possibility that if this doesn't stop before he is 18, that I will have spent nearly the equivalent of a year's college tuition, just so he can have his daily fix.
Tell me what to do internet. Should I take a second job to pay for his supply?
11 comments:
What is it with kids and this stuff? Seems to be addictions everywhere.
I KNEW it! I just knew it as I was reading. Why? Because my two-year-old is showing signs of this addiction as well.
Just don't get him started on the character ones--SpongeBob and Dora come out anytime we have the slightest freckle or speck on my daughter's body. HA!
My 4 year old keeps her stash in her room in a special drawer. She knows that I hoard them in case of true emergency's. My advice: buy stock in the company.
I knew that's where you were going!! Hayden's addicted too..and he's only 2!! It all started by me having to HOLD HIM DOWN and force it on him...now he can't get enough....oh the shame!!!
PS..I'M BACK!
I have one word for you. FSA (flexible spending account). It's tax free money that you can use for medical expenses such as bandages. :)
I say get him into a 12-step program, STAT.
The one where they start off by saying, "Hewo...my name ith..."
I used to buy the cheap bandaids for my daughter to keep in her room...
One time Iwalked in and she looked like a Mummy...I just closed the door and silently laughed down the stairs...
It passes but boy can it be expensive..
OMG My kids are addicted too-- and we worry about the war on drugs! Their's is so bad I've had to stop buying ones with characters. I've also had to lock the darned things up.
When we go out in public I swear people are staring at me because my kids have so many band-aids they look like war orphans.
Hee hee Terrell has that same addiction. now we only get a band aid if there is blood.
Okay, confession. I buy character band aids. And I don't HAVE wee little ones any more. YOU do the math. ;-)
LOL! Does he like plain or characters?
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