Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Brewing, Stewing... (update added)

I have about 10 posts I've written here tied up in 'bloggerland' that are recounts of emotional days or trying to make sense of how I've become such a "i have no idea what I'm doing' sort of parent. (I guess- since this is my first go at parenting- that status is likely to remain consistent.)  But tonight- I have to write this out and put it out for you all. You see- I don't know what I'm doing- nor do I know what our next step will be. I'm not even sure, that how I 'feel' about what is going on is "ok" or how to handle it the best way for my son. It bothers me- in so many different ways- even that "IT BOTHERS ME", bothers me.

You see- I'm tired. I'm tired of kids looking at my son from the next table with the mouth agape so long- drool drips to the floor seemingly unnoticed. I'm tired of sitting in the bleachers with him, with the 7yo kid in front of us turns and gets closer to his dad and holds tighter to his snack crackers. (as if we are suddenly going to snatch them at any moment.) I'm tired of that same kid turning back every 5-10 seconds of an entire baseball game. I'm tired of his own teammates (ages 4-6). I'm tired that even after a month & a half of 2 nights a week that kids shun him and refuse to 'share' with him.  I'm tired of a gymnastics classmate screaming in his face and ducking behind a parents leg, e.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e. she see's him. I'm tired of the parents, of the 3 & 4 year old young ladies, who dress their daughters in a leotard that has shiny sequins and bedazzer eyecatchers across the body of the too small & age inappropriate outfit giving her wedgie so bad the entire audience can see your daughter business-  but you scowl at me and my son cause he compliments your daughters sparkles and touches a plastic sequin. Ya you. I'm tired of that.

I mean. Yes. I 'get it'.  I get that I brought him here. I get that he is only 4 and socially a bit young. I get that he is still developing some social skills (but he is also advanced in many areas as well).  I get that I'm hypersensitive to being a single momma raising a young man. I get that we live in a lily white area. I get that these drooling, unkind, selfish kids are supposedly just acting their age. I get that, maybe they 'just don't know him'. But you know what--- I'm tired of it all.

This summer I've intentionally geared toward social activities and opportunities for him. After spending the winter working very hard physically, and spending school time with kids 1-2 years younger than him, I know that giving him some social opportunities with those his age and older is important. He needs to learn, I need to give him space to do so, and yet, ... and yet... I saw tonight... HE is tired of it all.

He doesn't like going to baseball. He loved it at first, but- tonight I saw what I could no longer look past- he doesn't feel welcomed and loved there. Why would he? He finds a pack of gum, returns it to the owner, asks if he could please have a piece? replied by a sideways scowl and walked away to share with each of the other kids as they enter the dug out. "It is his choice, son. We have to respect the answer."

I'm tired of having to teach & enforce respect of others, when he is continually disrespected by his peers.

"Mommy I don't want to be here."
I know, my son.
"I want to go ride bikes. "
Yes, we will. After your game. I love you.

I think he misses school. School where he has consistency with adults and children. School where he isn't the only child with a rich colorful face. School where kids and teachers are happy to see him and he is a valued member of the class.

It's an odd feeling (and a special treat round here)- going to the play ground and being so relieved to see darker skin tones smiling and laughing among the kids. Relieved. Odd huh. But- it means my kid will have someone to play with. Less chance they will all run away from him or pretend he's not there. When there are other ethnicities in the crowd, all the kids are more likely to be open to playing with all the kids. 

What this means is- we end up with a small set of available children that will even attempt to be friends with him... because lets face it- regardless of ethnicity, race or social status- there are some kids you just DO NOT want your highly influenced kid to be subjected.

I do not know what this means for us in the next few years. He isn't even school age yet. Preschool starts up again in the fall. What will happen as next school year winds down? What will be best for him? Our home, as he's known it, is here. But it's becoming clearer and clearer to me, that this cannot continue for much longer. Something has to change. And this place--- this place--- does. not. change.

I read this article today (before baseball) and practically started crying. Clearly these issues have been circling the heart for a while now. We are taking it day by day. Praying for clarity in what needs to come next.

This may be the hardest thing to come- or- it may be the easiest.







ETA: It crushed me to watch it happen again today. We arrived at the bounce zone place a bit early. Had a good hour of fun, together, before lots of other kids his age and older started arriving.  He was sweating working hard and ecstatic and loving. As other kids joined in the fun- he went up to one boy after another asked "Do you want to play with me?" "Can I play with you?"  Each one- scowled. grimaced. squirmed. Or ran shrieking. Now, never once did he ask timidly or awkwardly. He was guinely and openly saying- "Let's run and play together." Every. Single. One.   Not one other kid in the place had a hint of an ethinic identity other than 'caucasian'- and not one other kid in the place had any intention of playing with or around my son. I have to wonder- why, as parents, when kids come face to face with someone in a wheelchair, or a little person, we are so quick to get down on their level and explain things in an age appropriate manner to them about compassion, kindness, equality etc... and yet- when face to face with a child of another race or ethnicity- no one knows what to say. Or are they afraid to try?... I'm hurting for my son tonight. As loving and open as he has been to me today, I know he's hurting. Again. 







Monday, June 27, 2011

Pedalling AND Steering


I can not begin to explain how much work he's done to be able to do this. I could start by showing you pictures of physical therapy with his feet literally strapped to the pedals of a trike. Or show you video of him attempting to steer that trike will also attempting to pedal.

You see, riding a bike is a very complicated maneuver.

This statement was a complete surprise to me and - had someone attempted to tell me that before meeting my son- I would've scoffed and walked away from the clearly insane person. But given that it requires alternating movements on either side of the body to Pedal (one foot up, one foot down. one arm forward, one arm back)- also for steering and then an upper body control (steering) and a lower body control (pedaling)- it can be a lot for someone figuring out how to use this body of his.


I'm thrilled and over the moon for him. As is typical he wants to ride all the time so he can master this new accomplishment.





Friday, June 17, 2011

Help again

Can anyone tell me how to best upload a video onto blogger? I'm on a mac. I'm not sure if blogger was just slow or focused on making me crazy? Is it easier to post it from youtube? Seems silly as it's right here on my machine.... ugh. What format does it need to be? Blogger doesn't say- just says "problem"

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Say Thanks...

Say thanks to the sister in law who has never condescendingly said  "I've raised 4 boys. I know how it works."

Say thanks to the friend who has never rolled her eyes and said "Don't worry. That's typical for his age."

Say thanks to the friend who calls & invites you to a play date that was arranged with other families, even when you weren't initially part of the group.

Say thank you to the brothers who live far away and send a check to help you get a new computer, cause they love you, and of course count on computer technology for family updates.

Say thank you to the sister and brother who say- come down for the week. Let him come to my school for day camp for a couple hours a day. Spend the whole week. You can sit and relax.

Say thank you to the brothers and sisters who go out of their way to be gently and quietly supportive, even though growing up, you thought they'd be the last people on earth who ever would.

Say thank you to the woman who could give you a list of developmental checklists and crank up the anxiety levels, but doesn't. Who offers her advice only when solicited and holds back when she can see I'm tapped.

Say thank you to the friend who offers to come over and clean your house, and does.

Say thank you to the babysitter who commits and follows through.

Give thanks to the school site manager, for going out of her way to make sure you AND your son are ok and stable.

Say thanks to the teacher who 'gets it'. 

Give thanks when friends offer you a job they know you have little experience in, but want you working for them.

Say thank you to someone for being considerate to your son. Even if it was an after thought.

Say thank you to your small church group, even if they don't 'get it' in the way you'd hoped, but pray for you anyway.

Say thank you to your kid, for remembering to use his manners. Even if it was only once that day.

Say thank you to God for getting me through the day, for giving me strength when I want to give up, for holding my tongue when someone deserved a lashing and for enabling mercy, when I sssooooooo wanted vengeance.

Thank you again God, for giving me moments of clarity, letting me see truth, even when it is difficult.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Just trying it on...

The title. See how it fits? Not sure yet... could work. Need to come up with a good description and figure out how to post it. Still accepting suggestions though. Keep 'em coming if you got 'em.

I know. I owe you all a raffle draw. The Tegerooni is at Nana & Papa's for the night. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe. Love you all!