What It Is

Last month, I had my car window smashed in and my purse stolen. I know better than to leave my purse in the car; but I thought I was in a safe area. I thought, of course it could happen- but it won't. But it did. I was upset and shocked.
However, you quickly get over it. Simply because you have to. There are phone calls to make and cards to be canceled. You just deal and ride home a little bit more breezy than you might have liked.
Thinking more on it...it is very similar to how we deal with a diagnosis of autism or ADHD or whatever else is thrown our way. You deal with it. You start making phone calls. You deal with it immediately and the many months after.
You are upset and a bit dismayed that this situation has happened to you. It is not what you expected to deal with at all. You have always taken every precaution so this type of situation wouldn't happen.
But it does. And it did. And it has changed you. It changes how you interact with everyone else in the world.
You view the world differently than others. You take nothing for granted. You understand when parents talk to their children what they are really thinking and feeling. You know why children are behaving certain ways and why they are not. You have examined every parenting book known to mankind. Your knowledge base is extreme parenting. You want to offer advice, help, and encouragement. But only in small doses so as not to seem obnoxious.
In an effort to help you understand your own child, you now understand most children; yet still not always your own. However, you get it. You understand the others now. It is what is.

Good Work

Tonight Builder was busy on the computer. Not unusual. He is usually looking for the newest product he can buy or build. Often, it is the Obsession of the Week, any item he has seen somewhere,or heard of, and must have immediately.
Tonight, he had printed out copies of a rat playing a saxophone. That's right, sax playing rat. Real rat, tiny sax. I saw the photo. Very real.
He was busy writing a note to his fellow sax playing classmate. "You are a realy good sax player." He then included the picture of the talented rat and sealed it up.
I helped him with spelling and added some paper clips for him. I believe it was one of his first gestures to show appreciation for someone else's talents. I know he is impressed his friend can play the Sponge Bob Square Pants song. What I don't know is if he realizes how much his friend will appreciate this gesture.
Builder is still very concrete in his thinking. Friend is good sax player-tell him he is good. He doesn't have the concept of good deeds lead to good will.
I don't think he realizes the many opportunities for telling someone they are a good sax player. He just sees it as it is.
Do most of realize the value of a good compliment? I always try to compliment the fast cashier, the person in front of me in line, or the phone operator who was helpful. I think it is harder to do with the people you know and see all the time. Because you know them and see them all the time. Just for this week, try to tell them a trait or talent they have that you admire-- in honor of Builder.