parenting for dummies (It's not you. It's me!)-

So parenting special-needs kids is fundamentally no different than basic parenting.  It's the carry-out that is tweaked.  For instance: to Brenda, time-outs are sometimes perceived as a reward.  When anxious she even requests them.  Also, a command to Garret has to be repeated (and repeated, and repeated...) along with clear eye contact, then if he follows through it's considered a great success.  (No matter how long it takes him.)  And both children rarely request my attention, so interaction is often initiated by me- joining them in their "worlds".

Enter: Suzie   

Her "normalcy" (I hesitate to use that word 'cause I'm pretty sure she's crazy...) has thrown us somewhat into "new parent" status.  I've never had my time demanded like this.  I've never had so much conversation with a child.  "Look mommy!  A horsey!!  A HORSEY!  LOOK MOM!!!"   ..."Oh yes.  I see the horse.  Good job Suzie!"  "Mom!  Outside??!  Jumping?!??  Come MOM! COME!!!" ..."Look kid, I just spent an hour outside with you.  Look at Garret.  He's just sitting by the bush, slapping the leaves all by himself.  Doesn't that look fun???"  "MOM!  Wheels on Bus!!  MOMMY!  Lights go blink blink!!  MOM!!!"    Suddenly Brenda comes tearing through the house, headed to her room.  "Hey Brenda!  Want to play legos with Suzie??"  "NO!  NO SUZIE!!"  (She then goes in her room and barricades the entrance by shoving her bed against the door.)  By now Suzie has climbed onto my back and while choking me is loudly singing, "horsey please, horsey please, HORSEY PLEASE!!!"  ('Please' comes out like 'cheese'.  cutie pie...) 

Yeah, I get tired.  How do others do it?

I took Suzie with me on a run last night.  When I take Garret I talk to him occasionally and he sighs and waves his hands, perfectly content with the movement and scenery.  But Suzie needs constant stimulation and after about 3 miles she's had it with me and the boring fields of grass.  I've only got so many "Look-at-the-big-tree-Suzie!"s before she starts demanding to push the stroller, or play with rocks, or stop to see a dog...

So I'm learning what "normal" is.  That girl has me in constant training. 

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And just for fun-  My brother and his family visited this weekend and I got to nibble on my baby niece.

She's got edible cheeks...