2 steps forward and one big step backwards

Lauren attended two birthday parties in July and August and was...ok! In fact, she even played games and won a prize at her friend's party at McDonald's. Two weeks ago, we celebrated a friend's birthday at a restaurant. Loud singing and clapping and she was ok too. A little nervous but no negative reactions after. We thought she had finally overcome her sensitivity to loud, sudden noises @ birthday parties.

The last Friday, 2 October, we celebrated her brother Luke's birthday. 10 adults, 2 kids in a tiny house. She was excited. She played with party blowers and helped to open presents. Then her party blower accidentally blew off the "U" on her brother's cake making it read "Happy Birthday L ke!". She asked for it to be fixed. Well, how could we. No instant icing. She was still not happy. Actually she was very unhappy about it. Then, the happy birthday singing started. Then clapping and cheers. Followed by Lauren's scream and shout. Kevin and I pulled her aside to speak with her in a room. She tried to calm down and after about 10min, told us she was ready to go out and rejoin the party.

We opened the door and next thing we knew, she had gone straight for her nearest aunty, and squeezed and messed up her aunty's piece of cake!!! She was a mixture of anger, frustration and being upset.

I brought her into the bathroom this time. We spoke. She apologised and this time, really calmed down. Enough to accept (but not happily) that she had to apologise to her aunty and would face punishment at home. All was well after that.

She had no tv and computer game the next day until 12noon (it was Saturday). Went through the "punishment" without much complaint.

Sigh, that's my girl.