Dodge and Weave

This entry is part 25 of 32 in the series Still Standing

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Aaron, our son’s attachment therapist, is here at the house with us.

He notices it takes quite a bit of cuing and direction from me for our son to get through his afternoon routine.

“Have you considered creating a visual schedule?” Aaron asks me.

“Yes, we’ve done those in the past,” I answer while internally sighing and rolling my eyes.

Not that I don’t love and respect Aaron and his advice, or have any problem with creating a visual schedule.

Our son has had a number of the big evaluations done at Children’s hospital and each one showed problems with his executive function skills.

Massive ADHD. High anxiety. Gaps in his processing due to extreme prematurity.

We used the book Smart but Scattered to create a checklist on a clipboard, so instead of reminding him to do things, like “Have you brushed your teeth?” and “Have you brushed your teeth?” and “Child, BRUSH YOUR TEETH.” and “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY BRUSH YOUR FREAKIN’ TEETH”

(Would I ever say that? Sweet little me? Oh heck yes, I would. I just wouldn’t be that nice.)

Instead, a parent is supposed to say, “Check your list.” and “Check your list.” and “Child, check your list.”and “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY, CHECK YOUR FREAKIN’ LIST!”

See how much better that is? Just, so, so, so much better.

Don’t you love experts?

So I told Aaron, yes, oh yes. We have done visual schedules, yes.

I know he could see my burning enthusiasm.

“It’s a dodge and weave with these kids, is what it is,” Aaron told me. “You have to try something for awhile, and then you have to shake it up and try something else. Nothing works for very long. You always have to be one step ahead of them.”

No wonder I’m so blasted tired all the time.

So much dodging and weaving.

I really should be thinner.

Still Standing

Bible Verse

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:15