Now this is something that has been bothering me for a while, Mr L says that I am a neurotic mummy but I am still flapping about it, so thought that I would write about it here. At least then I can get other mummies advice to see if I am just being neurotic of not!
I am a little neurotic about things, it doesn’t help that I spent the ten years before having Baba working with disabled children, especially autistic children. So sometimes Baba does things and alarm bells ring in my head. Mr L tells me I am being stupid, and 99% of the time I can shift them. This one thing I can not.
Baba has an obsession with balls, they can be footballs, rugby balls, plastic balls anything. As long as it is a ball he will generally love it. He can kick a ball, although he will always prefer to throw a ball.
But here is the problem, he likes to line up balls!
In one long line, and he likes them all to be touching. If you touch this line he loses it, and has a complete meltdown. Throws himself onto the floor and screams, until he can put the balls back in their correct places. Once they are all in a line, he is happy and then can walk away and leave them there.
Is this normal? Should I be worried? Or is Mr L right and I am being neurotic?
I really need a bit of advice here, as it is driving me mad with worry. That maybe we should be a little more concerned about this! So if you have any advice that would be great thanks.
And Then All I Thought About Was You 
Apr 20, 2010 @ 22:05:23
Yes its normal. It is a stage he will grow out of. There is a name for it but that escapes me right now. But it is very common. It is common in 2 respects, the fact balls are round objects, some children find them fascinating, and lining things up. I did a course on play and development recently and although neither of my girls did it, most other people on the course said their kids lined things up – like you describe, not just a line, but the world would end if it wasn’t perfect. Hope that sets your mind at rest!! xx
Apr 20, 2010 @ 22:09:11
Do you know what that does, I am so pleased that it is normal! I have been so fretful about it that it has been driving me mad. I know it doesn’t help with the work that I do, but I am trying to be removed from that but it is so hard some times. Thank you that has put my mind at rest! xx
Apr 20, 2010 @ 22:46:30
Yep this is completely normal!
Daniel used to be the same with Thomas trains. OBSESSIVE. When he was mega young he’d tell you all their names, what kinda engine they were etc, and he’d also line them up touching and scream blue murder if they were disrupted. I did go through a wee phase of “what ifs…” bout that too… I also spent time working with people with learning disabilities, and also our next door neighbours teen son has aspergers form of autism.
But I’d relax about it, it’s most probably just that phase that he’s going through. I just wish D would be so nice with his trains now, instead of being so damn messy and hapless with them! He’s also nowhere near as fascinated with them anymore, and has much more varied interests (he’s 6 now. Thomas obsession was about 3yrs-4yrs or so I’d say).
Apr 20, 2010 @ 23:02:20
Thank you, I am feeling less manic about this now I do have to say. As it seems that I was being a bit neurotic. But you are aren’t you?
Apr 21, 2010 @ 06:30:13
Yep, really really normal.
As you know we’ve had ‘issues’ with Kai but this is one I quickly let go of – it seems a natural tendency for toddlers to do this, and actually I think boys especially. It’s them figuring out the world, and imposing a bit of order on it.
xxx
Apr 21, 2010 @ 07:14:28
Ah thank you, I am going to have to eat humble pie with Mr L now, about the fact that I am a neurotic mother! Hate that! Hope Kai is ok? xx
Apr 21, 2010 @ 07:35:10
LOL-yup normal as pie.
Apr 21, 2010 @ 07:36:53
Thank you x