Vera has been quite the challenge lately.  I am sure it has a lot to do with the end of the school year and the changes in routine that go with it,  The melt downs have increased and she seems to be having a hard time managing her emotions.  I have been talking to the therapist about tools to help her calm down.  

We finally had success last night when she was upset because AJ got a lamp for her bedroom and Vera did not get one also.  After quite a  while of trying to hug her and talk to her it finally occurred to me that the bean bag chair that the therapist had suggested and I was trying to implement might help.  The idea is that cuddling into the chair feels like being hugged.  I got it from the living room (the girls were already in bed) and put it on her bed.  She climbed on to it, snuggled down and immediately calmed down.  

She eventually went to sleep on the bean bag chair and slept all night.  Yay!!  I am very hopeful that this may be a new tool for helping her calm herself down.  I will take any help I can get!