Order and disorder
Daniel likes order. He likes rainbows, alphabets, numbers, planets. He likes things you can line up. Yesterday, while I strove to keep Helena on the couch immobile, he decided that what he needed to do what to create some order. He found 26 balls (including several planets) and organized them in a line from largest to smallest and then labelled them with the letters of the alphabet. This took a long time and was the cause of many tears and several tantrums before he got it all worked out.
Then someone turned on the fan. We’re still not allowed to tidy it up, although the full blast of the air has been directed away.
He has his idea of order. I have mine. I can deal with a long line of balls across the living room for about six hours. After that, it starts to poke and prick and needle my desire for order. I try, honestly, to respect the creative urge and the child’s need for space and respect and AAAAAAGH! Must clean it up!
Daniel and I are similar again in how easily we are thrown out of whack by a shift in routine. Helena’s trip to the ER and yesterday’s enforced idleness have effectively subtracted a day from my life. I am completely discombobulated and am trying to work but am instead ten kinds of unproductive fruzzleygagooneywhatsit. (You know what that is, right?) It will take me another day or so to return to what passes for normal.
Helena is feeling somewhat better. So really, all is well with the world.
Sounds like my kind of kid. When uncertainty strikes, MAKE STRUCTURE. I personally use balls of yarn in my efforts.
Around here we joke all the time about Myers-Briggs. Your son is clearly an NJ….
By the way, I was really happy to learn which pronunication you use for Helena. I have been wondering which way to read her name in my brain, not wanting to mispronounce, even mentally. I’m glad she is OK — the weekend approaches, hopefully bringing an extra cocktail or two with your name on it .
So glad Helena is doing better (I must lack imagination – I only ever thought of pronouncing as you do!).
Daniel is so clever (and so showing ASD traits)…!
You are doing such a good job with both your children. I will remember to try to copy you more!
Ok really relieved to read Helena is doing better!
Loved the ball/planet aliment! Very creative, and I totally can see why it would grow tiresome after 6 hours!!
I get the feeling of losing a day … our whole house has been ill…I feel like I have lost a week!
Hope everyone is back up and running soon!
I was late on the scene here. Good to hear Helena is on the mend.
isn’t that funny
that he likes order
to that degree?
i bet that is a sign of genius,
pure and simple.
glad to hear helena is feeling
better