Drawing on Walls

(Trigger icon- mention of self-injury)

I have a little called Fox who seems to greatly enjoy drawing. Now I have nothing against drawing... but he always draws on the walls. At first I just thought this was because he didn't have paper, but I carry a paper and a pen with me all the time now, and he won't draw on the paper, he'll draw on the nearest wall. It's a pain to wash off, but now it's gotten worse.

Fox just used to draw little stick figure animals, which was bearable but annoying, but it's taken a turn for the worse. He draws really really triggering things now that scare me, and really worst of all he now sometimes cuts us and tries to draw on the wall with blood, even when there's a pen around. I've tried putting all sharp objects and pens away, but then he ends up hurting us some other way because he's mad he can't draw.

I've tried leaving notes to him, I've tried buying stuff a little would like, but it won't stop, and honestly it keeps getting scarier and scarier and I'm running out of ideas.

Sounds like Fox has something to say.

Just an idea........... Put up loads of bits of paper on the wall that Fox keeps trying to draw on. I think it is unfair to stop Fox drawing, Fox needs an outlet to express things. Leave crayons or chalk for him to use. Keep sharp objects out the way. Leave old newspapers around for him to rip up.

Next time you go shopping buy a chalk board and chalks, big bits of paper, and art supplies that are usually made for children. ie non-toxic and safe.

Thanks for the reply.

I tried taping some paper to the wall once, it wasn't big pieces so I'll try that, but he ended up drawing around it. The idea of a chalkboard also sounds like a good option- I'll give it a try.

I also tried giving him paint, he ended up just taking the red paint and splattering it on the walls... it's harder to wash off so not gonna try that again.

They make chalkboard paint that you can paint on the wall that makes the wall a chalkboard. It's way cool and fun. Maybe you can leave all sorts of colors of chalk, you can get light colors and deep colors of chalk for everyone. Even your children will have fun with it. One of the walls where I'm staying at now is covered with chalkboard paint and it gets drawn on lots!

maybe you could also try the type of paper that comes in long rolls... sort of like Christmas paper... the back of it where.. it is white.. with no.. print.. they make white paper like that... or if you have old wrapping paper... you could put that up... and have it so that the whole wall is covered...

and... they have washable markers.. too in case... it goes thru the paper....and having red markers.. that are not permenant... (washable)... might help him.... and then eventually.. when he feels "heard"... he might try drawing with some of the other colors...

I agree with pegasus... that your little has something to say..

making him be quiet... will hurt you the "adult"..

can your T... draw him out.... and help you to set some parameters... like no hurting your body with sharp stuff... or can you reach inside.. and give him permission and understanding... telling him it's ok to draw... just not "hurt" his/your body???

One of my alters likes to shread.... and so she uses a paper shreader... you would have to make sure... it was "child proof"...

Before paper shreaders... she used to rip paper.. apart... or at resturants she would rip napkins into smaller.. and smaller.. and smaller pieces...

This is a very calming activity.... really.... my son and ex-husband.. don't understand - but they do not know I am DID...

for you... and "little"

Buy an easel? http://www.easelsonline.com/Children...-p/ae1300.html

Wait until he doesn't need to do it anymore ("outgrows" it?)/hasn't done it in awhile and then paint.

Leave washable crayons around? http://www.crayola.com/canwehelp/staintips/index.cfm

Work on the computer and "teach" him how?

http://www.crayola.com/coloring_application/

free - i like shreading, too... my old printer was a DOT matrix and had those sides ya had to seperate.... finals time = gerbling time.... shread shread....

that's curious - i too have a little.... named self "little fox". came out last week in 3 drawings. little fox drew a current mapping of the system with everone connected and then a fox curled up in the corner of the page and named self little fox.

It seems that somehow Fox needs and outlet. Can you try a nd learn what is going on with him from his drawings? Maybe he is getting more violent as he feels misunderstood or ignored? Sometimes it is hard to understand what littles are trying to tell us by their pictures. Maybe you and your t can help try and find out. It sounds like you have some good ideas on how to give him a safe outlet.

BB

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

He had an episode of drawing on the walls again today and also scribbled a bit on my wheelchair, but I managed to wash it off. Chalkboard paint sounds like a cool idea too- I'm sure my kids would find use for that as well.

I can't really figure out why he's suddenly gotten this way with his drawings. I'll have my T try to help. Fox has spoken with people I know, and he told my girlfriend he draws it so "I will see" but I'm not really understanding what he means.

Hey Ledge.....

Do you have a newspaper business nearby? You can buy end rolls from newspapers pretty cheaply and they make great drawing and art paper! (end roll is what newsprint has come off of and there is not enough on it to use in printing the next edition).

Maybe if you put some paper up and draw a picture to Fox he will see it and draw something for you on the paper also? Maybe if you tell him you don't understand his drawings but if he put them on paper, you could take them to T and he/she could help you understand them.

Hope you are able to come up with something for him. He definitely has something he needs to say


sabby

Ledge, I have a little one who has taken to using her clay to shape phallic objects. I find these drying EVERYWHERE. I was horrified, but a friend who has come to a unity with her system told me, "Don't make her stop and DO NOT throw them away or remove them. She is working through something and she wants you to know."

My instinct would be to tell you that he's trying to tell you something, and when you wash it off the wall, the message is that you don't want to "hear" it. If at all possible. . .find a wall that can be his and his alone - the back wall of a closet for instance? - and let him go to town. He's trying to tell you something, and it may only become clear once he's drawn several pictures for you.