Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Bathing Suit Bribes - Out of the Mouths of Babes

One of the drawbacks of having a child who is seen as having "behaviours" is all the well intentioned BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT programs that get implemented by well meaning people. For C they are currently using fake money at school as an incentive and reinforcer. So, C is beginning to get the concept of money - but I think he's jumped a few steps (like how to count it and how to buy something simple at the store) and has jumped right to the "innappropriate" use of money and combined it with his own unique attempt to offer someone an incentive.

For the past couple of weeks I have been reminding C that he is a boy and when it is very hot and boys want to play in the backyard it is okay for them to take their shirts off. Last week our Respite worker was here and C wanted to use the water guns but started to throw a fit because his shirt was going to get wet. I reminded him that he should change into his bathing suit and no, his shirt wouldn't get wet - if he took it off. S headed to the door to go to her car to get her swimsuit - C headed her off at the pass and said "just take off your shirt like me". She reminded him that girls have to wear a top but he's not buying it. He wants her to be like him and he also doesn't want to wait while she gets changed. So he does what any self respecting "behaviour management" in training 7 year old would do - he says "I'll give you money" and holds out a few monopoly money.

Oh my, I figured the "birds and the bees" talk was right around the corner but little did I know I would be having a "we NEVER offer anyone money to take off their clothes" talk. His dad, of course, had a very long laugh summed up by a "that's my boy"!!!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Who knew?

When my husband A and I went to adoption classes in 2000, we knew we didn't know everything about kids. We knew that we had no idea what we were in for. Little did we know how little we knew.
When we met our son he was a smiling, giggling robust 3.5 yr old. Who knew that he could also be a screaming, foul mouthed lethal weapon? Man, that kid could punch. A is not a small man and the time C punched him full force in the chest in the middle of the store - people around us all gasped as the "thud" reverberated throughout the store.
We had no way of anticipating what parenthood would bring to us, what it would ask (DEMAND) of us. I found myself many days asking God to grant me more patience. I would try not to let out some hysterical laughter everytime someone would say "wow, you have so much more patience than I do", if they only knew. My mom used to have a wooden plaque with a rope hanging from it and it said "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on". My rope has many many knots in it and my hands are sore but I'm still here.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Decision made

My husband has been blogging for quite some time, and I've been thinking about it. Now I have finally taken the plunge. Part of me is worried - what if I post things that others read and then I regret it? Afterall, in real life I am a chronic sufferer of "foot in mouth" disease. However, online I have been VERY cautious, very rarely ever using my first name and NEVER the names of my family.

But, I admit it - I'm intrigued. I want to write and write and write - there is nothing like putting your thoughts onto paper knowing that others will read it. Does it feel the same online???? We'll see. I've created this blog with my two ds in mind - becoming their mom has got to have been the best and most outrageous thing I have ever done. Often my exhaustion from being with them is far outweighed by the exhaustion I feel battling this world around us in an effort to keep them happy, healthy and moving forward.

I promise nothing. The best part in all this - if my writing sucks or it offends or it is just plain boring - don't read it. Who knows, maybe many people who have had to sit through seemingly endless stories in person will be spared now that I have this new outlet. You guys can dream :-)