Holiday. Short Edition...

Not long ago I posted about an episode of Parenthood where the unpredictability of holidays (halloween in particular) can cause hyper-vigilance and straightjacket worthy anxiety in parents-- with children. (and I'm going to leave that as a period, because I believe all kids have special needs and/or special considerations... and really- "parents with children" pretty much just sums it up.)

Started the day with some heavy work. Hitting hard. Engaging full body balance, strength, coordination.

So in making the decision to go out 'trick or treating' this year- I had to be very conscious of the 'why' and whether it was going to be ok for him. Not spiral inducing. Consider events prior and the week(s) to follow. What was 'new' or 'a lot' on the calendar of events?

Next: Building a car. Hand eye coordination. Small parts. Small tools. Eye focus. Executive function. Concentration required.

After an entire year of him knowing a little more and a little more about the American tradition of trick or treating, I knew he wanted to go, expected to revel in it and that he would, in fact enjoy it.

Keep him coming back for more! End OT with a pull on a wheeling balance board: secretly requiring lots of core strength and hand- arm coordination & strength to hold onto the very small ends of the rope while being pulled willy nilly all down the hall.

It was a full, fun and therapeutic day. Despite his ever present mucus drain, hacking cough and watery eyes (that I suspect will be here at least until we can move out of this home.), he did so good on what could have been a very very very overwhelming with excitement, fear, dread, unknowns etc day.

Next: Home for fresh COLD air. Free time. Child led play/work. Next stop: Fuel up and Nap (critical to success)

He was a beautiful butterfly who ran from house to house in the beginning, when it was still light out. By 5:30, 6pm- darkness settling in, he stayed far closer to me or held my hand. He traded out ringing doorbells with whoever we were with at the time. He laughed about the skeletons and jack-o-lanterns.

Starting out in a place of 'knowns' and with people of 'knowns'. Feel free to make fun of the Butterfly costume made of a child harness, lawn ornament and glow in dark duct tape. He can't read your comments yet. Oh and glitter spray. Can't forget the glitter!!

Running from house to house with his cousins. (clearly not our street....)

Although I'd packed PB&J's, he sat at the table and ate 2 bowls of Doya's (Gloria's) spaghetti. Doya & Dickie are my HS BFF's parents. How many times did I sit at this table and eat her famous spaghetti? I'm so glad he's gotten the privilege of walking in, being welcomed, making himself at home and finding a job to do like everyone else has done for the past 50+ years they've lived here.

After handing out candy in at their house, we went out trick or treating in their neighborhood (formerly mine too), just he and I this time. The pure excitement of what was around every corner was so contagious.


This goes without saying, but I'm learning there is power in saying it. Not only in type, but in voice. Thank You for letting me be a part of his world. The joy that stretches my heart. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

As we curled up in bed talking about the night- he announced "Next time- I'm going to be a FROG!!"


RRRRibbit.