Exhausted from parenting/ASD children/Welcome to Schmolland!

[iwrbnd]

Wow! I've been gone this weekend and have missed all the fun on here! I've been just cracking up at all the stories! They are priceless! And I've missed saying "hi" to a few new people! What a great group of friends we're all becoming! I love it!

 

[iwrbnd]

Wow! I've been gone this weekend and have missed all the fun on here! I've been just cracking up at all the stories! They are priceless! And I've missed saying "hi" to a few new people! What a great group of friends we're all becoming! I love it!

My child doesn't eat erasers but he chews his shirt sleeves and collars to pieces!

(Oops, I didn't mean to quote myself, I meant to edit and add last part! "Major BFF"!!!)

 

[BreTyPres87]

Speaking of the literal way of looking at things, I was reading the Amelia Bedelia books to DD a couple year ago. About halfway through, the family gets frustrated and fires her for getting everything "wrong" and taking it all so literally. Caitie just looked up at me and asked about it; she didn't understand why they were mad- Everything Amelia did made perfect sense to her

lol thats so cute!! and I used to love those books and forgot all about them until just now!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi everybody!!!!!!!!!

I am sort of new to this board I have posted once or twice. I am a mom to DD 8 who is an Aspie kid. I was reading the posts from early pages and it brought back how I use to feel. For the first 5 years I had mixed feelings of being a parent to this child. Through the years things have gotten easier. There is a little less autism behaviors and a little more typical. I think the biggest thing for me is that up till about 3 years ago my DD wouldn't let us show her any kind of affection. Now she wants hugs all the time, sits on my lap and snuggles. I noticed for myself this was key for me. Once, I was able to share affection with her I felt close to her and felt like I was a mom. I guess I should say what I thought a mom was going to be like. All those feelings I had a long time ago have pretty much gone.
There are days when she argues with me that I want to have 1,000 calgon baths.

I have to say I love the literal stories, this is so classic in our house. Our DD is very high functioning, so much academically she can do work 2 grades higher. I forget and I say things and she looks at me like I have 2 heads.

It feels good to share so many people I have in my life just don't get it.

 

[kampfirekim]

Speaking of the literal way of looking at things, I was reading the Amelia Bedelia books to DD a couple year ago. About halfway through, the family gets frustrated and fires her for getting everything "wrong" and taking it all so literally. Caitie just looked up at me and asked about it; she didn't understand why they were mad- Everything Amelia did made perfect sense to her

That is so cute....I love it!

Wow! I've been gone this weekend and have missed all the fun on here! I've been just cracking up at all the stories! They are priceless! And I've missed saying "hi" to a few new people! What a great group of friends we're all becoming! I love it!

Welcome back! I was wondering if you got lost in Schmerwood forest or something! Good you see that's not the case. Hope you had a great weekend!

Hi everybody!!!!!!!!!

I am sort of new to this board I have posted once or twice. I am a mom to DD 8 who is an Aspie kid. I was reading the posts from early pages and it brought back how I use to feel. For the first 5 years I had mixed feelings of being a parent to this child. Through the years things have gotten easier. There is a little less autism behaviors and a little more typical. I think the biggest thing for me is that up till about 3 years ago my DD wouldn't let us show her any kind of affection. Now she wants hugs all the time, sits on my lap and snuggles. I noticed for myself this was key for me. Once, I was able to share affection with her I felt close to her and felt like I was a mom. I guess I should say what I thought a mom was going to be like. All those feelings I had a long time ago have pretty much gone.
There are days when she argues with me that I want to have 1,000 calgon baths.

I have to say I love the literal stories, this is so classic in our house. Our DD is very high functioning, so much academically she can do work 2 grades higher. I forget and I say things and she looks at me like I have 2 heads.

It feels good to share so many people I have in my life just don't get it.

First, I'd just like to say I am hoping DS' autism traits continue to lessen and the more typical ones develop. We are seeing more speech and social deveolopment lately. Affection has never been an issue for us, but my heart sure does go out to those it is a prob for. It must be heartbreaking. That's been one thing I've been grateful for. I'm glad that issue has worked out for you. Your post is very encouraging to me. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I don't know if there's enough Calgon in the entire Land of Schmolland to completely take us away!

 

[mommatomase]

I can remember reading Amelia books and spending half my time explaining... it took FOREVER to read an Amelia book... NOW... he explains her actions to everyone like he is the expert...

Another one for you... Yesterday I asked DS if the milk he was drinking "hit the spot"... silly me... "NO, I don't know what that means... what spot, I'm drinking it." After explaining what "hit the spot" meant he said... "that's dumb... it just tasted good."

You would think that after dealing with this for nine years I would realize what I am saying...

I have a new motto... "Different Day... Different Stuff" I feel like I need to explain...

 

[iwrbnd]

I can remember reading Amelia books and spending half my time explaining... it took FOREVER to read an Amelia book... NOW... he explains her actions to everyone like he is the expert...

Another one for you... Yesterday I asked DS if the milk he was drinking "hit the spot"... silly me... "NO, I don't know what that means... what spot, I'm drinking it." After explaining what "hit the spot" meant he said... "that's dumb... it just tasted good."

You would think that after dealing with this for nine years I would realize what I am saying...

I have a new motto... "Different Day... Different Stuff" I feel like I need to explain...

"Hit the spot"! Love it!

I think "Different day different stuff" should be the Schmolland motto! We don't have one, do we?

 

[mommatomase]

"Hit the spot"! Love it!

I think "Different day different stuff" should be the Schmolland motto! We don't have one, do we?

I'll second that... I just love it... no one would understand unless they live in our world... my DH thinks it is a riot...

 

[kampfirekim]

I can remember reading Amelia books and spending half my time explaining... it took FOREVER to read an Amelia book... NOW... he explains her actions to everyone like he is the expert...

Another one for you... Yesterday I asked DS if the milk he was drinking "hit the spot"... silly me... "NO, I don't know what that means... what spot, I'm drinking it." After explaining what "hit the spot" meant he said... "that's dumb... it just tasted good."

You would think that after dealing with this for nine years I would realize what I am saying...

I have a new motto... "Different Day... Different Stuff" I feel like I need to explain...

Hit the spot! That is sooooo funny! It actually sounded like my neurtotypical son! He can be literal sometimes.

I'll second that... I just love it... no one would understand unless they live in our world... my DH thinks it is a riot...

I'll third that! If there are no objections...the motion will carry!

Yesterday DS and I were alone on the softa together. I often pray for guidance and the strength to handle life with him, but I decided to pray for him on the spot. He looked up at me bright eyed and said "JESUS?" Excited about this response I repeated "Jesus" hoping to prompt him to say it a second time. To which he replied, "More Cheezits". He thought I was offering him CHEEZITS! Maybe that's why he melts down in church. All the references to Cheezits and no one ever gives him any!

 

[kirstenb1]

Kampfire Kim, thanks for the chuckle. I swear everytime I pray now, I'll have to eat Cheez-Its!!!

 

[steph124ny]

Cheeze-Its!!! That is just too funny!!!!

 

[kampfirekim]

Kampfire Kim, thanks for the chuckle. I swear everytime I pray now, I'll have to eat Cheez-Its!!!

Cheeze-Its!!! That is just too funny!!!!

Better believe I'll have a stash of Cheezits in my bag next Sunday!

Just got back from Target. It was pretty uneventful until he began yelling "Help me, help me, help me!" to the top of his lungs! I quickly realized he had an itch he couldn't get to, but I could only imagine what the sight looked like to an innocent bystander. A 45 lb+ 5 1/2 yr old stuffed in the seat of a shopping cart, yelling "Help me!" reapeatedly to top of his lungs. I'll tell ya' , these little Schmutch kids are comic gold.

 

[mommatomase]

I love Cheez-its... and Jesus...

I LOVE IT!!!

Thanks for the snicker...

 

[mommatomase]

We are going to WDW in September... you can bet that I will have a t-shirt that says, "Different Day... Different Stuff".

Today... we are on alarm mode... everything is alarming today... not just, "hey Mom, look at this", it is "MOM, MOM, come quick..." like the house if burning down!

Sounds like it it Alarm Day in other parts of Schmolland too...

 

[iwrbnd]

I love the Cheezits story, too! Church can be an interesting place for ASD kids! I know we've had our moments! I remember when mine was in 1st grade and the pastor said "Raise your hand if you've never lied." My DS's hand shot up in the air and the pastor said "Congratulations, son, you just lied in church!" My DS looked so confused and me and my mom both said to each other "I don't think he ever has!" Seriously it took forever for my son to lie...did you know that's a developmental milestone? I was never so excited as when my next child lied at 3 years of age!!! I'm so warped from living in Schmolland!

 

[kampfirekim]

I love the Cheezits story, too! Church can be an interesting place for ASD kids! I know we've had our moments! I remember when mine was in 1st grade and the pastor said "Raise your hand if you've never lied." My DS's hand shot up in the air and the pastor said "Congratulations, son, you just lied in church!" My DS looked so confused and me and my mom both said to each other "I don't think he ever has!" Seriously it took forever for my son to lie...did you know that's a developmental milestone? I was never so excited as when my next child lied at 3 years of age!!! I'm so warped from living in Schmolland!

I never thought of lying that way! Hilarious story! Don't feel too bad, I think I'm warped from time spent in Schmolland too! Here is a story I cut and pasted from an old thread called Front of the line. Some may have already read it, but I don't mind repeating it for those who haven't. Since you seem to enjoy stories from the 1st Church of Schmolland , you'll love this one. It happened during winter. Just another day in the life of the KFK family in Schmolland:

Originally Posted by jt'smom
i don't know if this will make you feel better, but i have an aspie son (he's 13 now), who was a "naked kid". ... now that he has to change for gym in middle school, he does wear boxers, but only on school days. weekends are still commando!

Originally Posted by kampfirekim
YES! Someone who understands my plight! Good to know he may grow out of it. My DS stays in underwear at home. I let him go commando too. We don't have a prob at school, but at home... clothes?....forget it. Several months ago at church DS was getting irritable. Assuming he was warm, (wearing 2 shirts layered), I decided to remove the longsleeved one from underneath. That is when the mayhem ensued! Once I got the shirt off and tried to put the short sleeve back on it was a fight for survival. During the Wrestle Mania match he managed to get his shoes off and his pants were down around his knees! DH, who never finds much humor in these situations, completely lost it! He began to laugh out loud...in church....I thought we were going to have a Mississippi Squirrel moment! I had a half naked child and a hysterical husband on my hands. When DH decided to help clothe DS, DS bit him right on the nipple area causing DH to let out a YELP! Then I lost it! Then My DM lost it! At that point DH decided it was time to remove DS. After DH removed him from the service, the choir and half the congregation were still chuckling. The pastor never missed a beat! Lucky we have such an understanding church family, huh? I could write a book.
__________________

 

[mommatomase]

And I feel I need to introduce myself better...

I am a mom of a 9 year old Aspie who thinks he knows it all. He is a Brown Belt in Karate and an Honor Student. We cyber school, so I am with him 24/7. Well, with the exception of Karate on Tues. from 6 to 8. He is not only Aspie, he also has life threatening food allergies to peanuts and sesame (used to be 14 foods). He was diagnosed the SPD first, then Aspergers. He used to freak if his feet left the ground or if he moved faster than he could walk. An indoor trampoline was our saving grace. He can now ride a bike and he has a "big boy" trampoline in the backyard. His goal in life is to be a Lego Brickmaster, but first an actor so he can build a mansion. He loves to dance (of course) and his two favorite subjects are Legos and Star Wars. He knows all the Lilo and Stitch cousins by name and number.

I have ten years of training in Autism (1990 -2000) but NEVER thought my son was on the spectrum... my training is not in Aspergers so his vocabulary threw me the curve not to pursue diagnosis sooner.

He spoke at the age of 9 months but didn't walk until 15 months... both within "developmental milestones". So, why pursue anything when you have a happy kiddo that loves to be held and sits and plays with his toys quietly and for hours.... And you waited 13 years for this precious little guy to arrive... then kindergarten starts and.... whammo... somebody says your sweet baby that is so well behaved at home is so bad a school... doesn't listen, walks around the room, doesn't color in the lines.... yadda, yadda, yadda... I put up with that for three years! No more... he is now an honor student and if he wants to walk around the room in the middle of a lesson... who cares???

I don't think I could live anywhere else other than Schmolland... I know nothing else... one child, one husband, two dogs (I think my corgi is also on the spectrum) and 19 chickens (DS says they are very interesting and will spend two hours a day in the woods with them... Some days I am so exhausted I could sit and cry... other days I just sit and laugh because life is good through the eyes of an Aspie (I have a happy one)

I truly don't know how someone with more than one child does it... I sometimes get the "you only have one child?" And I think to myself... yup, that's all this Momma could handle... I wouldn't be the Mom I am with more than one...

OK, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

 

[BreTyPres87]

And I feel I need to introduce myself better...

Welcome!!

 

[BreTyPres87]

Cheez-Its

My son doesn't go to Church very often but when he does its always an interesting experience. Two Easters ago he made it halfway up the pulpit during the alter prayer, this year he was held by a very nice man who looked a lot like Walt Disney who kept him calm.. I wanted to ask him to come home with me but I didn't wanna creep him out!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I just wanted to say I love this thread. My son is 6 and is on the upper end of the spectrum too. He also has ADHD. Some days are great and I feel like we might be able to relocate out of Schmolland. Other days are not so good and I feel like we should buy a place in Schmolland instead of wasting money on rent. He's become quite argumentative lately. I keep hoping that it's just a phase and try to remind myself that it's better than when he didn't have any preferences at all.