Sometimes I worry that people will think that we are overly permissive with Monkey because of his disability ((I need to write a post about this sometime b/c I’m uncomfortable with this word.)). We run a very child-centered household for sure and we do it because we are trying to foster a sense of power in Monkey.
It seems to me that it would be very easy to feel powerless if I were in Monkey’s position. If I were unable to clearly communicate my thoughts and desires in many situtuations, what are the chances that even well-meaning people would discount them? How many times do you suppose that he tries to communicate something and has it misinterpreted? I know for sure that it has happened at school and it happens at home too. There are times when, no matter how well we know him, we cannot understand what he wants. We’ve given up, at times, out of frustration because we can’t figure out what he’s trying to tell us or ask of us. Those situations, few and far between as they are, break my heart.
Also, Monkey is asked to do things frequently that make him uncomfortable. His comfort zone is so very small that this is unavoidable. In the name of therapy he is asked to touch things he does not want to touch, he is asked to get into physical postitions that he does not want to get into, he is asked to jump through hoops he does not want to jump through just to get what he does want. I understand the importance of all of these things and I understand that it’s for his ultimate benefit but I do wonder at times what this does to his sense of worth. No one forces him to do anything but we do exert a great deal of (well-meant) pressure to induce him to comply.
So home is the place where we feel we can best empower him. Sometimes it leads us to do things we do not want to do. For instance, Monkey will grab a stick of shortening and point at the mixer to indicate he wants to cook something. It’s now up to me, even when it’s the last thing I want do, to figure out what we can cook with shortening and a mixer (the answer is Snickerdoodles, btw.) Saturday evening he decided he wanted to use the food processor. We don’t often use the food processor so it took a little while to figure out what we could use it for (homemade hot chocolate) and we did so even though it was dinner time and we should have been cooking dinner instead. It seems like such a small thing, to stop whatever plans we were making to do what he requests but I hope it pays off in the long run.
I want him to grow up and know that what he wants counts. That what he likes is important. That what gives him joy is worth pursuing.
Even if it means we need to order out for food if we want to eat dinner anytime soon.
I’m not a fan of most words out there and disability is one of them. Special needs is okay but we all have special needs. Let me know what you come up with 🙂
You make excellent points. I feel the same way with my monsters.
I am the same way at my house. Punkin totally runs the show (within certain limits), but home needs to be the safe place to land at the end of a crazy day.
I am so glad that you encourage Monkey when he wants to explore his new abilities and realizes his accomplishments are acceptable to the both of you and especially himself. Don’t forget he is experiencing the fulfillment that Duhdee feels when he cooks a meal that everyone enjoys.
Disability — Unique ability. Yes, hopefully we can come up with one word to replace this one. His disabilities are unique and he manages to overcome all obstacles one way or another.
Firstly… So what if people think you are overly permissive… I say you are being a loving parent who is listening to and giving attention to your child, there is nothing wrong with putting his needs first.. That said, I fall into the same boat, and my little Holly rules the roost.