Oh well, we lost our "good morning" streak. This morning did not start out well. One of my high schoolers said his throat hurt and asked to take some Tylenol. It seemed as if that was that. On the way to school he jokingly begged me to just take him back home. Jokingly. When I finally told him to get out of the car with his brother and go to school, he slammed the door and lucky me got to watch him sullenly walk up the sidewalk. I really felt bad. Did I make the right call? Was he playing me? Is it okay for a straight A student to stay home sometimes even if they may not be sick?
I'm still learning. And seeking God's wisdom. On one hand I want my kids to have a good work ethic knowing that you can't always call in sick if you feel a little under the weather or when you just don't feel like going and yet I know that this could have been my child's way of telling me that he needed to be home today in his safe place... just because. Heck, I have those moments.
Boy is parenting hard. Why is that often times our job requires us to make a decision that is both wrong and right? How confusing is that? If it weren't for God's grace, I don't know what I would do.
And then there is my child who lacks the social skills that we all still take for granted. Even though he still receives speech for pragmatics, his struggles are great. Though he seems to have made great strides ever since he was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum, his inappropriate behavior is a constant reminder that it is going to be a part of him for life. Remind me not to turn my back for one minute on Saint Patrick's Day or my child may go berserk because his sibling copied another sibling and wore green. Seriously, that set my son off today into a physical tirade and while I was getting myself all worked up, my husband saved the day. He called me back immediately and asked to speak to our son.
"Just go to bed... now."
Brilliant. Thank you honey... so much.
Why didn't I think of that?
Instead I was yelling and grabbing the shirts away from my son. I was trying to get a hold of the principal at school. I was trying so hard to reason with my son and put him in his place.
And my husband knew. The best place for him to cool off, and for me to just let it go was him in his bed.
Thank you Lord for my helpmate.
11 inspiring thoughts:
You are so right! Parenting is so very hard!! I have often been torn between the whole staying home thing/work ethic thing. I know just what you mean. And boy, oh boy, do I know what you mean about being so thankful God gave us another half to step in when we are overloaded and need a fresh voice or fresh set of eyes to deal with one of our children. BTW, you are doing a great job!
it's still early, maybe you could pull him out of school for the rest of the day. or ask if he wants to hang out at home tomorrow. there's nothing wrong with a day off once in a great while as long as it does not become a habit. only you can make that call, those of us blessed to read about your lives aren't there & don't know the whole picture. ;-)
Christine
I've been doing a lot in a topic of autism. The basic You can do about Your son is change the diet.
It is very important - will help him calm down and detoxify.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLZNrUxJ5P4&feature=player_embedded
It really works, trust me.
Wishing for You and Your family all the best.
I'm sorry you're having a rough morning, Christine. I am, too! Parenting is hard. Very very hard.
Have you thought about him receiving social skills in school, through special services?
I think teaching social skils is one of the hardest skills to learn!
Jane
Hi! I hope your day is better tomorrow. Having a chld with autism is very hard. I find myself at times I must pick my battles with my children.Somtimes rules must be bent a little.I have found that a little give and take can work wonders.Blessings, Pat
It's great when they have your back!
oh... I the feelings...
Been having quite a day with a very disrespectful, disobedient obstinate one. Finally I HAD IT! and let her know.... told her to get away from me.
And what did she do? She put her pajamas on and went to bed and right to sleep!
I'm thinking I should have done that ages ago,except... I did once today and it didn't work for her until she put herself to bed.
I LOVED when my mom let me stay home for a mental break day. I rarely missed school due to sickness and I got straight A's. So she let me have 2 days a year to stay home just for a break. My grades and work ethic did not change due to this, actually I think it did me quite a bit of good to know I could ask to stay home cause I needed a break and my mom would understand. Employers give full time employees some time to have a mental break (PTO) so why not give students the same when they go everyday all day just like an employee would.
My husband is the principal of our school, too, and he uses the same discipline as your principal.
Being a mom is tuff, being a homeschooling mom is beyond tuff. But, it is worth it all! Joy and suffering walk hand-in-hand in the Scriptures, and in our day-to-day life, as well.
HA!!!! I love your discription about the shirts . . . this is exactly what I go through with Autumn, you don't know what is going to throw her off!!!! Yep, the shirts would have done it for her too!!!! It's nice to have mom's who get it!!!!
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