I was hesitant to even mention it, in fear some crazy people who don't understand any bit of our world, decide- "we're simply unfit parents neglecting our child"
trust me, it happens!
Anyway, you know it was a good day for him when HE decides FINALLY after #### weeks (I'm not even going to say how long it's been)
but pretty much he has broken his already long record, it got that extreme)
oh back to what HE decided to DO..... TAKE A SHOWER!
WOW- Brian and I teased throughout the day- what good parents we are
this is what good parenting looks like
wow, we rock!
Because in our reality- we haven't done anything different, we haven't changed how we approach anything, we are consistent, we are his rock of constant
and today (who knows why, stars in the galaxy were clearly all aligned)
he chose to be kind to his little sister, ate at our dinner table, and for the first time in way too long, took a shower
He's a 10 year old boy, there is no more "forcing" a bath or shower on him when he doesn't want to
it's simply too dangerous- that's a pure "battle" that we just can't fight
him on, as badly as he stunk, he would wash his face (sort of) and he might have gone swimming a few times in the time frame (which almost counts as bathing in our book)
but since we had gone camping, (yes that is right he hadn't showered before camping and he didn't shower when we got home from a week of camping
unlike the rest of us who couldn't wait to get clean, to feel fresh again- you know that long awaited shower that feels oh so good after not showering
(BTW it's beach camping, there isn't too much dirt luckily, and he did go into the ocean ... that's gotta count, right??)
Anyway, I guess it was that kind of day for him, where he took a shower- on his own, came out smiling, said he shaved like Daddy, and well, smelled a whole lot better!
Wish I could take credit for being some awesome parent that her child cooperated so well with our requests
But if you are a parent of a special needs child, and especially a very difficult one with Autism and .... the laundry list
well, things for him are constantly changing, things for him are always different, his response is never the same,
but one thing is, our parenting!
He just responds differently to the same consistent parenting style that comes from love, patience, attachment, rules, boundaries, flexibility, teaching, guidance, understanding, and just simply wanting to help him be happy and successful- no matter what that looks like!
So, I won't take credit- just a pat on the back to know today, what we do helped him- helped him in a way that has been a very long time
a way that allowed him to simply help himself!
That is a successful moment for sure!
No comments :
Post a Comment