This is a test of the image embedding capabilities of WordPress for the iPhone. I this were an actual post, I’d have something to say
Adam
The S word
We were driving home from the Y (MCA). I was done working for the day, and the kids were done with camp for the day. Beth wanted to tell me about an “inappropriate” incident, but I asked her not to while Adam was in the car. Beth, not so easily deterred, went on anyway. Now before I go on, I need to explain that Adam has been immune to the ‘spelling what you don’t want him to hear’ trick for more than a year. The little stinker hadn’t started pre-k and he was already reading. So Beth had to adapt [...]
When the autism spectrum wins
After a month of hunting down posts about Beth’s childhood, my mind wandered to our other child. How has he fared through all of this? I remember first thinking in terms of Beth’s disorder “winning” during a Skype therapy session for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The therapist sought to personalize, yet disassociate the disorder from Beth in a way. She tried to objectify it – make it seem separate and distinct, to make it into something for Beth to fight. It also served to lift some of the shame from her shoulders. “This isn’t you Beth. This is OCD, and we can [...]
My boy
A few weeks ago we were cleaning the house, something we’d neglected for too long. Pollen from the oak trees formed a thick yellow film over all of the vertical surfaces outside. The dust inside was approaching the critical mass for self awareness, and the growth in the bathrooms was beyond sentience – plotting a coup. Adam took the cleaning frenzy one step further. I found him in our familyroom with a damp cloth scrubing the dirt and grim off some of our old toys. “What are you up to Adam?” “I’m cleaning some of our old toys for the [...]
Fun with labels
I was picking up Adam from my in-laws’ place after work last week, and Adam had a little picture they gave him. It was a picture depicting Jesus and Mary. “Do you have your picture Adam?” my mother-in-law asked as we were leaving. “Yes Memere,” (that French-Canadian thing again) Adam replied. Later, as we were backing down the driveway, Adam asked, “why does Memere want me to have this picture so much?” Now keep in mind I’m sort of a lapsed Lutheran, but I try really hard to be respectful. Since l wandered off into the wilderness from church, Cheryl [...]
Mutiny on the pitch
It didn’t take long. Adam just had his first soccer practice, and already the parents are planning the coach’s ouster. From what I hear it might be deserved, but I’ve never coached little kids so what do I know? First, there was the last minute way it was organized… as in: nine o’clock the night before we got a call from the coach – complete with a shopping list of what Adam would need. I suspect she’s a stay at home mom – not that there’s anything wrong with that. When the kids showed up the next evening our coach [...]
Adam bomb
Maybe it’s his small body. Maybe it’s just hardwired into a four year old boy. Adam is showing an early flair for maneuvering, pattern recognition, and tactics. I think he’s worked out every long approach to a padded landing in the house. “Adam, no running!” comes out of my mouth on autopilot, like “God bless you” when someone sneezes. It comes out a fraction of a second before his body makes impact. Sometimes I’m the target. Sometimes it’s a piece of furniture, or an unsuspecting (large) stuffed animal. He is afraid of the dark, but he’ll run across two rooms [...]
Unheralded classics
Among the likes of the wheel, the steam engine, integrated circuits, the moon landings, and the polyester cotton blend, one of humanity’s greatest (if overlooked) achievements is the Koosh Woosh. In the late 1980s, a small toy company made a bundle selling funny little balls made of strands of rubber. Maybe you never had one. Maybe your parents didn’t love you. We had several – think indoor snowball fights (or as close as you can get in Florida). Yeah, my parents have some regrets…. Lucky for us all, the Koosh gravy train didn’t end with a funny little ball-like lump [...]
The sound of trouble
I think paternal instinct is underrated. Mothers are given credit for “the bond” and knowing instinctually when their kids are in trouble, while fathers are relegated to second class parenthood. I know, I know. Fathers miss out on gestation and the birthing experience, but I’d put my ear for trouble up against any mother’s. Now Cheryl might say the ear is only effective when the brain maintains an active connection – but I’d rather ignore this inconvenient observation for the moment. I won’t try to tell you I’m an expert in child behavior but I know my kids. Their cries [...]
