oh oh - Just like a normal family!!!!
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| Sat, 07-30-2005 - 2:43am |
Ok, this is one for the record books. They may actually grow up! We went to sea world and had a nice time and pretty much were just like a normal family for a whole day!!!!!!!
We went into 2 things that stressed Mike out and he made it through without a meltdown. Says he won't be going on "Journey To Atlantis" ever again. But he made it all the way through the line (a 45 minute line none the less) and then nearly had a panic attack getting in, but we sat together and had a plan and he made it through!!!!
We stayed the whole day from 2:30 til 10:30 pm. Watched a ton of shows, saw a ton of exhibits. No meltdowns. Didn't have to leave early!!!
Ok, so it looks a little weird to have a large 9yo holding moms hand all day. Ok so he did stress more than the normal kid but it was in a quiet enough way that we could handle it and no one would have known anything. And I am a bit tired of constantly discussing facts and trying to explain some of the facts of sea world to him and listening to his version or understanding of these facts. But all in all we have never ever, ever been able to do this. Our normal trip consists of a very planned out 2-3 hours at the most with at least 1 meltdown and lots of anxious stimming or similar.
Now for the bummer. I know this is temporary. Mike is always more relaxed on break from school. He does tons better though usually becomes a hermit in many ways. But he does great behaviorally. Lots of this stuff that is ok now and I am enjoying I know will be gone in 3 weeks time. Oh, well. I am learning to enjoy breaks while they last.
Renee


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Yea! what a great family day that must have been! I'm glad the plan worked for him! I'll bet Cait was in heaven though, being able to see everything at Sea World!!!
I'm so jealous! LOL! We went to the zoo last weekend and lasted barely two hours-- ok it was 95* and typical South Carolina humidity but we went at 10am and were out of there before noon. I do know how it probably looks rather strange to other people that my 8 almost 9 yr old has to hold my hand most of the day, but it's better than him walking up to other people and getting in their space or rubbing his hand on them. My ADHD kids (and after this trip to the zoo I'm more convinced than ever that Owen is ADHD) are actually worse about the facts and constantly talking them over and over and over to us. Between Weston becoming more and nmore sensory overloaded w/ people and Owen getting more and more frantic to keep moving constantly, we decided 2 hrs was all they (and we) could handle.
hope you got lots of pictures to remember the day!
Betsy
What a great day! I wish we could do something like that..sounds like so much fun!! I am sure that its looks even more strange with my 12yo who is 5'2 ans 130 lbs holding my hand the whole time we are in a store or where ever. But it is a must because he wanders off when even the impulse strikes him.
I am glad you had fun!!
liza
renee,
that's great! i can see how special that must have been. your such a patient mom, i wish you could send some of that over my way. those great memories make it easier on the harder days.
valerie
Yay!!!
If it happens once, chances are it will happen again. If it happens twice, you have the makings of a pattern.
Seriously, I am very happy for you. I get that feeling every now and again: "Hey, this is what 'normal' is like. Wow. It's nice!". In my case, it's usually an accident. In your case it's a total testament to your ablities as a teacher and a mom.
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Oh that sounds so nice! I'm so glad you all had a good day! We're going away on a weekend trip in August and am hoping to have a similarly "normal" experience -- just typical 2 yo stuff to deal with, ya know?
I'm starting to know what youmeann about the "break" stuff. I can tell when Calvin's been home for a few days because he is an angel and seems so normal. Then we have a play date -- or worse, a few in a row -- and he's stressed. Ah, well -- always something to work on. Glad you had a good day!
Kellie
Dear Renee,
Well, you could be wrong. I'm just thinking that your past experience of temporary summer relief with Mike was when he was going back to over-stressful mainstream classes and now you have him in a smaller, more supportive setting. He may be making more real progress as the demands on his sensory system are more within reach, and maybe "normalcy" will come easier to Mike now. This has certainly been true for us. When Malcolm's world is more relaxed everywhere, it seems he makes real progress.
Anyways, here's hoping! That day sounds so fun. Malcolm would love Sea World, maybe some day we can go!
yours,
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Renee,
That's fabulous!! We've had some pretty normal days in the past too. Not lately though! LOL I can't seem to take Nathan to the store for anything!! I'm actually looking forward to school starting. I'm hoping that getting him back into the routine will help some!
Glad the day went well for all of you. That is amazing that you were all able to stand in line for 45min.!!! We could never do that!!
Michelle
Renee,
So glad to hear you had a great time.
I'm glad you had such a great day at Sea World.
Pat
Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. --
Thanks all.
This is the first time EVER we have been able to wait in a line for that long or go to a park for that long. It was very cool. Typically, by 2-3 minutes into the wait he is starting in with perseverating, getting angry. If I can keep him somewhat in control using a variety of methods we may make it through a 10-15 minute wait but that was rare.
As a comparison, about 8 months was our last trip like this. We went to Balboa Park where there are lots of museums, etc. The whole night before he was obessing. We made a schedule, printed up a map that he held. The first activity was a puppet show where he was being loud, angry, rude and kicking me under the seat for the first 15 minutes until he realized what it was and loved it. We lasted about 3 hours (only because we say an Imax movie or it would have been maybe 2) at most and in that time he had no less than 3 meltdowns like the first though mostly shorter at every activity change. And by the end was so hyper, overstimulated and stimmy that we couldn't get out fast enough. And actually that was a pretty positive trip.
This time he was stressing before again, but we got online and looked up all the info on all the attractions. Planned a few definite must sees. A basic plan and went. He was still Mike but so much more easy going and had fun. Few little things but nothing unreasonable.
I really hope it lasts too, but every year just before school starts up I start thinking, WOW this is the Real Mike. he has made so much progress. He is so easy going, then BAM! I have considered homeschooling, but then the stress becomes equated with Mom and that is NO GOOD. Have tried doing some stuff on breaks in the past and such. he needs me to be the stress free zone and the one safe thing in life. So I don't. i wonder if he will ever be able to hold down a job.
Renee
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