Bombs and Balms
Last week the daily to do list was daunting in this domicile. I am still taking stock of the situation and staying serene in spite of our snarling psyches.
Check out my word use. I’m throwing down some LEARNING on all y’all.
The other day, N was eating breakfast and he picked up my lip balm. If you’re not aware, I have a lip balm problem. A BIG lip balm problem. At any given time, I have about 10 – 12 lip balms around the house. Two in my car. Three in my purse. Two at work. Just in case I don’t have one handy.
To give you some context about how SERIOUS a problem I have, after a surgical procedure and I was coming out of some heavy sedation, my first question to the anesthesiologist was, “Where is my lip balm?”
Yep. That bad. I also have a serious problem with pens. But that is for another day.
N said, “Hey Mom, this is your lip bomb.”
I laughed and said, “Did you say bomb?”
He replied, “Yeah, bomb.”
I said, “Bomb is B-O-M-B, like Boom! Balm is B-A-L-M,”
“They sound the SAME, Mom. Really?”
“Yes, for real.”
“Ugh, you’re so lame.”
Everyone is a critic.
As we already knew here at Camp Sheridan, N is not going to be the next Hemingway or J.K.Rowling. He just isn’t. Unfortunately, N thinks that this gives him liberty to not learn how to navigate the English language and
develop critical thinking skills. Just a few necessary things to pass High School.
I got a call from the school today that N wasn’t feeling well and was dizzy. I was a little concerned that this was ANOTHER avoidance tactic from my son, but when I talked to him directly, he did sound not quite himself. Leaving work early, I manage to get there in about 15 minutes.
I met up with the SPED liaison, who is tremendous. She thought the same thing about N. I gave her the run down about the previous week. Sympathizing with my pain and anguish, and there was much anguish, we’re going to meet up soon to go over some new strategies.
I met up with the nurse and saw N on the cot, he looked a little weak to me. He said he was happy I didn’t come in and make a big fuss about him. We left after he had drunk some water and cleaned out his locker. Note to self: Get locker shelves and clean out locker more often.
I think what is becoming more apparent to this parent is the level of involvement required to ensure your Aspie’s child success. It does get more intense as they age. They need you more. They struggle more. They get anxious more. They are not done being “raised”. I am certainly working to give him those independent skills, I’m a huge proponent of that. But I have no delusions that when he’s 18 he’ll be off to college completely prepared. It’s a life long commitment.
So, we managed to get through trimester 2 of 6th grade and we’re preparing for trimester 3. I just finished my homework for my class at 6:38 AM and am now going to rouse my tween.