Exhausted from parenting/ASD children/Welcome to Schmolland!

[toodycat]

[I]What a busy body! Did anyone in your family speak up in your defense? Sure, kids need to be kids, but bad behavior needs to be corrected at any age....THAT'S HOW THEY LEARN! Parenting 101. You did great in pulling that guy aside for a little pow wow. You're a better woman than I. After the second time, I probably would have told him to zip it and mind his own business! Never going to dinner w/him again goes w/out saying. Yes, his manners were much worse than your DS's and a little chit chat with dad regarding his friend might be in order.
My mom always sticks up for me, but my Dad didn't which caused quite a conflict between us for a while. The irony is that Dad's friend became a grandfather of NT twins shortly after; he cared for those kiddos for years with the result that they are totally spoiled and intractable. Everyone talks about how disruptive and undisciplined they are. I've never said a word to him. I've been thinking about this a lot and I think the best answer to any unsolicited, unwelcome, parenting tips is,"Thanks for your concern. I've been trying to teach him not to leap into traffic/scream in movie theaters/chew with his mouth open. I've also been teaching him not to judge strangers."


I swear teaching special need middle schoolers sucks all the life out of me and so by the time i get home I don't have what I need for my guys. I try but it is hard. I tried really hard this morning to make sure we didn't have any conflicts since he has state testing today and I want him to do well. So that took some patience. His teeth shouldn't rot today! LOL

I used to teach collaborative English with a special ed teacher. I had some pretty disabled kids mixed in a class with NTs. Finally, DH told me I had to stop and find another class. A 24/7 special needs professional and personal life is soooo difficult. While I was teaching that group, I always felt like I had the life sucked out of me and I had an unrealistically negative view of my son's abilities. I was always worrying that he would wind up like my weakest students. I switched and now I teach at-risk kids...teen-agers with the potential to do well but not the desire. There's a cruel irony in spending my days teaching kids who could do well in school but don't when my DS who wants to do well in school, but has trouble, but it still keeps me from wallowing in special ed anxiety all day which was what I was doing before. The state tests are so tough.That was the first time my son told me he was "stupid or weird." He had no clue what they wanted from him on those assessments. He's gotten to be a better test-taker over the years, but it is still hard.
but now that DS is 17 he has calmed down quite a bit, and has learned to deal with a lot of things that he couldn't handle before.

My guy has also calmed down a lot as he got older. I always worried that his hormones would make him more aggressive, but that didn't happen. Recently, we went to a family bar mitzvah and DS was seated with the kids which was not so easy because they were 13 and he is 16. They weren't really supervised and were spending their time popping the balloon arrangements and setting fire to the sushi chopsticks. DS came back to my table and I couldn't blame him. The DJ was really loud and the balloon popping was making him stress. (Sound is a big issue at my house.) I told him to sit outside of the party for a while, so he chilled in the foyer. It was almost over anyway. Wouldn't you know the DJ announced that the photographer wanted one more picture of all the guests. I got DS to come back for the photo. Everybody stood, got photographed, OK time to go. The MC yelled into the mic, "DJ, HIT ME!" and the DJ plays "I saw her standing there" at maximum volume. Our luck...DS was standing next to the speaker! Even though I could see that my son was about to jump out of his skin and if there were a way to do that literally, I think this would have been the day. DS held it together pretty well; his face crumpled like he was going to cry, but he didn't. When he was younger, he would have had a MUCH more drastic reaction.

 

[iwrbnd]

I think many here can appriciate the differnce between DEFENDING SCHMOLLAND and flaming. Don't mess with our little Schmutch (or parenting of them)!


Ofcourse, I often say this little prayer to Him:
Heavenly Father, PLEASE don't trust me so much. Help me through today and forgive me for my ungrateful thoughts. Amen!

My new favorite prayer, thanks!

I've often thought "God, are you SURE I can handle this? Because I'm not!" I'm still here and functioning so I guess I'm handling it but there are days...

 

[kampfirekim]

. Oh and KFK I want to cry all the time about this kind of stuff. I try to tell myself that I got these kids for a reason but sometimes I truly wonder if I'm the right person for them.

KFK...my mom is good about saying things to people who are rude. She lacks her filter when it comes to people like that. She has no problem telling someone off if they need it. I just get embarassed and run the other direction.

Well, since we are discussing meltdowns I'll tell you about the war in our little part of Schmolland. .....

Geez that's a friggin novella there! Sorry about that. If you didn't read it all, it can be summed up this way...Schomalland was hell last night until mom got ugly.

I'll be back later, I have a question to ask of you other Schmollanders.

Daisy

It's not at all like me to let myself cry over stuff like that, but I guess now that he's getting older I can really compare him to other kids (no matter how hard I try not to) and I can't help but think of what he SHOULD be able to do were he NT. It' really is breaking my heart lately.

I think I'm like your mom...I don't always have my filter with me either. Our little Schmutch kids absolutely deserve to be defended, afterall, they didn't sign up for this either.

The Schmolland War of 2010. We've had an official war. I read every word. That was a great story. Sometimes mom's just gotta get ugly! I may have to borrow that one sometimes.

You know, Daisy&Max, it doesn't say it in the parenting books but I think every child needs to see mom go completely psycho at least once!

I'm sorry you had a rough night!

Kampfirekim, I feel on the verge of tears when I'm around NT kids, too. I try not to compare but it's so easy to do. Sometimes I just can't take it and retreat into my little cave and not go to all the functions that I used to. That's not a healthy way to handle it so I'm glad you're staying involved! to you too!

Hang in there today my Schomolland neighbors and dear friends! We can do this!!!

The parenting books don't have all the answers. Going "psycho" sounds like good solid advice to me.

I needed those words (and hug). I was just saying today that I'm just wasting my time involving DS in these activities. Thanks for the little nudge of encouragement. I was beginning to wonder if it even mattered. Thanks!

I think many here can appriciate the differnce between DEFENDING SCHMOLLAND and flaming. Don't mess with our little Schmutch (or parenting of them)!


Ofcourse, I often say this little prayer to Him:
Heavenly Father, PLEASE don't trust me so much. Help me through today and forgive me for my ungrateful thoughts. Amen!

Amen to both statements! Although, I did feel like flaming and defending all at the same time. That would be handy for providing flaming arrows to the villagers.

Oh Daisy,
Your guy needs one of those Intense shirts MommatoMase mentioned. You are definately the right Mama, don't beat yourself up!
One of my best friends has two boys on the spectrum with one whom must sunbathe underneath the "intense" beam. He's a challenge on a cloudy day, I do not know how she holds it together. I would flip out several times daily if this were the norm for us (which proves to me, we truly are not given more than we can handle....most days!).

,
Kathie

We are special....we are Schmollandites! We can handle almost anything! Even though it doesn't always feel like it.

My new favorite prayer, thanks!

I've often thought "God, are you SURE I can handle this? Because I'm not!" I'm still here and functioning so I guess I'm handling it but there are days...

My sentiments exactly! Funny how so many posts end with statements such as "some days.... or one of those days...." We all have those, but we'll all make it in the end. : Sweet dreams all ye inhabitants of Schmolland.

 

[iwrbnd]

(by kampfirekim)We are special....we are Schmollandites! We can handle almost anything!

This shall be our new war cry!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

And a new incident from my corner... Annoying at the time, but funny as can be looking back (don't tell DS I said so, though)

We only have one bathroom in our house, so as usual, I was crowded in with DS13 brushing our teeth before rushing off to school, when I look down and notice DS' fly is unzipped. The following conversation ensued:

Me: "W, your fly is down."
DS: "I know, it's broken."
Me: "You can't go to school with your fly open."
DS: "Not my fault. Dad gave me the shorts to wear."
Me: "And I'm sure he didn't notice the zipper was broken. Get upstairs and take them off. I'll get you another pair."
DS" "But Dad told me to wear these."

(Where's the head-banging-against-wall icon when you need it?)

He went to school and was only a llittle bit tardy, but complained the whole way about parents who can't make up their minds about what they want him to do.

 

[persimmondeb]

Oh, my word! Are you sure you don't have my kid?!!! That sounds so familiar!

 

[iwrbnd]

Oh, my word! Are you sure you don't have my kid?!!! That sounds so familiar!

I was thinking the exact same thing!

 

[GoofTroop]

Hi all.....I just found this thread, and have only been able to read the first 9 pages so far....But what a wonderful, feel-good, thread.

I have four children, DS17, DD12, DS9, and DS4.

DS17 has HFA.
DD12 is Neuro-typical pre-teen...Nuff said! )
DS9 has Moderate autism, bipolar, OCD, ADHD, FAE.
DS4 has OCD, ODD, and EXTREME ADHD, I'm sure he is somehere on the spectrum (though higher functioning than his brothers). We see a pediatric neurologist in July...Hoping to get some answers.....Even though he may be the highest functioning of the boys, he also has the most extreme behaviors.

When parents talk of becoming "empty nesters" it sometmes makes me sad. I'm not sure we'll ever get to that point with DS17 and DS9. The verdict is still out on DS4.

I love my kids with all my heart, and can't imagine life without them. But many days, I wish life was easier for them.....And me.

What an inspiring thread here on the DIS. Glad I found it.

Elizabeth

 

[GoofTroop]

kampfirekim oh geez thats one I didn't even know was possible.Any idea how he got into the mattress to begin with? I'm baffled.. hope you figure out a way to make him stop

We have been going through this with my 4 year old for a little over 2 years. He's eaten through his mattresses, sheets, comforters, curtains, toys....Lots of toys (even GeoTrax, which I didn't think anybody could bite through those), books, DVDs, he's chewed on window sils, entertainment centers, dressers, Christmas lights.

He was sitting, in front of the TV, watching The Grinch....And while the grinch was eating glass and onions, I could hear crunching (not coming from The Grinch). I asked what that noise was. DS4 replied "It's coming from me." I asked "Why is it coming from you?" His response was "Because I'm eating lights, they're cwunchy!" He was 3 at the time.

Oh, he also ate part of a flahslight and battery from same flashlight (while at school). That required an ER visit.

Our concern is now possible lead poisoning. He sees the doctor next week for that.

Elizabeth

 

[GoofTroop]

This is often an issue at school. I work in classrooms sometimes, providing support to kids with all kinds of learning issues- asd, speech/language, exec functioning, aspie, etc. Sometimes the nt kids complain that so-and-so has Ms.B to help him with the answers on the test, or with the homework, or doesn't have to do the full assignment, and that isn't fair. We tell them that fair isn't always equal. I know, it's harder when it happens at home, 24/7, but the elementary and middle schoolers I work with get it.

Fairness is not everyone getting the same thing, it's everyone getting what they need.

Elizabeth

 

[Daisy&Max]

While I was teaching that group, I always felt like I had the life sucked out of me and I had an unrealistically negative view of my son's abilities. I was always worrying that he would wind up like my weakest students.

That's exactly what I do to my sons. I go home and tell them that they better not be like my students. I tell them stories and then tell them they BETTER. NOT. EVER. do what whatever it was I was telling them! LOL

Here's my question for the day...since we are all on a Disney board we obviously enjoy Disney. So my question is do you use the GAC when you go? And if you do how do you feel when you use it? Or if you don't, why not?

I use it because it makes our lives so much easier when we can have an alternate place to wait for our turn. But then I wonder if I'm hurting my kids by not letting them wait in the confines of a queue and learning to deal with that kind of stress. They wait in lines at home for things like play ground equipment, or in stores, or in restaurants. But then when I use it I feel guilty and embarssed because of how the kids look.

Although, when the youngest is sitting on my feet looking like a baby penguin and the other one is bumping into people and literally tryiing to climb the walls I think it is obvious why we do it! But I see people when they look at us funny and that's when i wish I could hold up a sign that says "This is what Autism looks like!" I would give just about anything to be able to stand in those lines like a normal family. I have tried it with my youngest when we go to Busch Gardens but he starts picking at his fingers or yanking his lips so hard I'm afraid they won't snap back in place again!

But on the plus side...the Schmolland War of 2010 had a cease fire at my house last night. No one screaming, no one running away, no one acting autistic at all! That's a rare sight in our corner of Schmolland.

Now we have to get ready for a parade on Saturday. We are in a parade with the boy scouts and I have no idea how my Schmutches are going to react. So I have to don my leader uniform (even tho I'm not an official leader yet...that's in July!) so that if one of them starts freaking out I can pull them out and walk behind the rest of the parade.

Happy day to everyone in Schmolland!

Daisy

 

[Daisy&Max]

We have been going through this with my 4 year old for a little over 2 years. He's eaten through his mattresses, sheets, comforters, curtains, toys....Lots of toys (even GeoTrax, which I didn't think anybody could bite through those), books, DVDs, he's chewed on window sils, entertainment centers, dressers, Christmas lights.

He was sitting, in front of the TV, watching The Grinch....And while the grinch was eating glass and onions, I could hear crunching (not coming from The Grinch). I asked what that noise was. DS4 replied "It's coming from me." I asked "Why is it coming from you?" His response was "Because I'm eating lights, they're cwunchy!" He was 3 at the time.

Oh, he also ate part of a flahslight and battery from same flashlight (while at school). That required an ER visit.

Our concern is now possible lead poisoning. He sees the doctor next week for that.

Elizabeth

My oldest DS chewed through at least two powercords when he was about 3 or 4. Thankfully, he chose ones that weren't plugged in. I think he chewed up a few other things too, but I can't remember now. Oh yeah, I know the other thing..he chewed up the powercord for my laptop. I tried to blame our bunny but when I looked at the chew marks they were definitely not bunnyesque! That was only 2 years ago...so he would have been 8 at the time.

Daisy

 

[iwrbnd]

Welcome GoofTroop!I'm glad you've joined us! This group has been life saving for me! It sounds like you are a great momma to your four! I also have four! DS17 has innattentive ADD and mild aspergers. DS14 is NT. DS11has mild autism/aspergers/whatever, I don't really know! DD7 is NT, but just barely!!! (There are days with her that I wonder!)

I LOVE your quote

Fairness is not everyone getting the same thing, it's everyone getting what they need.

 

[kampfirekim]

This shall be our new war cry!!!

So it is established.

And a new incident from my corner... Annoying at the time, but funny as can be looking back (don't tell DS I said so, though)

We only have one bathroom in our house, so as usual, I was crowded in with DS13 brushing our teeth before rushing off to school, when I look down and notice DS' fly is unzipped. The following conversation ensued:

Me: "W, your fly is down."
DS: "I know, it's broken."
Me: "You can't go to school with your fly open."
DS: "Not my fault. Dad gave me the shorts to wear."
Me: "And I'm sure he didn't notice the zipper was broken. Get upstairs and take them off. I'll get you another pair."
DS" "But Dad told me to wear these."

(Where's the head-banging-against-wall icon when you need it?)

He went to school and was only a llittle bit tardy, but complained the whole way about parents who can't make up their minds about what they want him to do.

Oh my goodness! (I vote they need to add a head banging against the wall smiley as well as a running naked, screaming and pulling your hair out smiley! ) Maybe we can come up with one of our own that we could at least copy and paste?

Oh, my word! Are you sure you don't have my kid?!!! That sounds so familiar!

That's what I was thinking.......about my NT!

Hi all.....I just found this thread, and have only been able to read the first 9 pages so far....But what a wonderful, feel-good, thread.

I have four children, DS17, DD12, DS9, and DS4.

DS17 has HFA.
DD12 is Neuro-typical pre-teen...Nuff said! )
DS9 has Moderate autism, bipolar, OCD, ADHD, FAE.
DS4 has OCD, ODD, and EXTREME ADHD, I'm sure he is somehere on the spectrum (though higher functioning than his brothers). We see a pediatric neurologist in July...Hoping to get some answers.....Even though he may be the highest functioning of the boys, he also has the most extreme behaviors.

When parents talk of becoming "empty nesters" it sometmes makes me sad. I'm not sure we'll ever get to that point with DS17 and DS9. The verdict is still out on DS4.

I love my kids with all my heart, and can't imagine life without them. But many days, I wish life was easier for them.....And me.

What an inspiring thread here on the DIS. Glad I found it.

Elizabeth

Welcome GoofTroop! Your username is perfect for this thread! We're glad you found us. Take your time and catch up reading the previous posts. Sometimes we almost speak in our own code. You'll be up to speed in no time. BTW, I've seen others mention HFA, what is that? also what is FAE?

We have been going through this with my 4 year old for a little over 2 years. He's eaten through his mattresses, sheets, comforters, curtains, toys....Lots of toys (even GeoTrax, which I didn't think anybody could bite through those), books, DVDs, he's chewed on window sils, entertainment centers, dressers, Christmas lights.

He was sitting, in front of the TV, watching The Grinch....And while the grinch was eating glass and onions, I could hear crunching (not coming from The Grinch). I asked what that noise was. DS4 replied "It's coming from me." I asked "Why is it coming from you?" His response was "Because I'm eating lights, they're cwunchy!" He was 3 at the time.

Oh, he also ate part of a flahslight and battery from same flashlight (while at school). That required an ER visit.

Our concern is now possible lead poisoning. He sees the doctor next week for that.

Elizabeth

YEA! ANOTHER GOATBOY!!!! My DS is currently trying to chew a tunnel to China via his mattress too! He will try to eat almost anything, but try, just you try to get him to eat a greenbean! You'd think I'd offered him a serpent.....then again he'd probably try to eat THAT! Yes, we too have digested Christmas lights, but not the little mini lights. DS ate a bulb from the electric window candle while it was still plugged in! There were two Christmas miracles that year. 1. I didn't have a stroke, heart attack or seizure. 2. DS got no injuries in the eating, digesting or eliminating of the bulb. This proves my point that he is indeed part goat. You all know what the puppy part consists of. Thinking of going to the pet store and getting those housebreaking poo poo pads.

Fairness is not everyone getting the same thing, it's everyone getting what they need.

Elizabeth

Amen.

Here's my question for the day...since we are all on a Disney board we obviously enjoy Disney. So my question is do you use the GAC when you go? And if you do how do you feel when you use it? Or if you don't, why not?

I use it because it makes our lives so much easier when we can have an alternate place to wait for our turn. But then I wonder if I'm hurting my kids by not letting them wait in the confines of a queue and learning to deal with that kind of stress. They wait in lines at home for things like play ground equipment, or in stores, or in restaurants. But then when I use it I feel guilty and embarssed because of how the kids look.

Although, when the youngest is sitting on my feet looking like a baby penguin and the other one is bumping into people and literally tryiing to climb the walls I think it is obvious why we do it! But I see people when they look at us funny and that's when i wish I could hold up a sign that says "This is what Autism looks like!" I would give just about anything to be able to stand in those lines like a normal family. I have tried it with my youngest when we go to Busch Gardens but he starts picking at his fingers or yanking his lips so hard I'm afraid they won't snap back in place again!

But on the plus side...the Schmolland War of 2010 had a cease fire at my house last night. No one screaming, no one running away, no one acting autistic at all! That's a rare sight in our corner of Schmolland.

Now we have to get ready for a parade on Saturday. We are in a parade with the boy scouts and I have no idea how my Schmutches are going to react. So I have to don my leader uniform (even tho I'm not an official leader yet...that's in July!) so that if one of them starts freaking out I can pull them out and walk behind the rest of the parade.

Happy day to everyone in Schmolland!

Daisy

Yes, I do use a GAC and I have no shame, regret or remorse about it. There are times when I don't use it, but the majority of the time I do. A Disney vacation probably isn't the time to teach them to deal with that type of stress. The sensory overload is just to great. Something on a smaller scale would probably be more effective. At least that's true for us. DS has no physical handicaps but he is a flight risk, the SJFT could cause injury to himself or anyone at anytime without warning. The sensory overload is an issue all of its own. DS needs that "cocoon" feeling to calm himself down and decompress which is why we've applied for an adaptive stroller that we should be hearing about this week. (Fingers crossed) I too have felt like waving the Schmolland flag and screaming "He has Autism! Please don't stare!"

I'm happy for the cease fire in your corner.

My oldest DS chewed through at least two powercords when he was about 3 or 4. Thankfully, he chose ones that weren't plugged in. I think he chewed up a few other things too, but I can't remember now. Oh yeah, I know the other thing..he chewed up the powercord for my laptop. I tried to blame our bunny but when I looked at the chew marks they were definitely not bunnyesque! That was only 2 years ago...so he would have been 8 at the time.

Daisy

"But mom.....the bunny did it!" Classic! (However, I do not recommend power cords to become part of the menu. We'll just let that remain a power snack. )

 

[persimmondeb]

DS once ate (chewed rather, but there were little bite marks all over it) an art deco slipper chair that my mother had recovered and given to me for my birthday when I was 14 or 15. He usually doesn't eat furniture, but for some reason it was irresistable. He'll sometimes tell me he just needs to bite!

I wish I knew where the impulse came from! Gum and candy help a bit, but not all the time, and I worry about him swallowing gum. I should be grateful that he's never eaten anything electrical, at least.

We don't use a GAC, but we avoid (or fastpass) anything with lines over about 20 minutes, and we try to be attuned to how he's doing. He seems to do okay, and waiting in line is a skill. Regular feeding helps too, since he always gets hairy when he's hungry/tired. We're doing the dessert party for Wishes, which I'm hoping will work well, since that both feeds him and gives him a less crowded area to watch in. Fortunately, he loves fireworks and the noise isn't an issue.

 

[GoofTroop]

Welcome GoofTroop! Your username is perfect for this thread! We're glad you found us. Take your time and catch up reading the previous posts. Sometimes we almost speak in our own code. You'll be up to speed in no time. BTW, I've seen others mention HFA, what is that? also what is FAE?

HFA is high functioning autism. FAE is fetal alcohol effect. Just to make it clear, I did not drink alcohol while pregnant. My kids are all adopted. So sadly, in addition to their struggles with everyday life due to their disabilities.....They've also been abused/neglected as infants/toddlers, and/or while in the womb.

Elizabeth

 

[Kat77]

And a new incident from my corner... Annoying at the time, but funny as can be looking back (don't tell DS I said so, though)

We only have one bathroom in our house, so as usual, I was crowded in with DS13 brushing our teeth before rushing off to school, when I look down and notice DS' fly is unzipped. The following conversation ensued:

Me: "W, your fly is down."
DS: "I know, it's broken."
Me: "You can't go to school with your fly open."
DS: "Not my fault. Dad gave me the shorts to wear."
Me: "And I'm sure he didn't notice the zipper was broken. Get upstairs and take them off. I'll get you another pair."
DS" "But Dad told me to wear these."

(Where's the head-banging-against-wall icon when you need it?)

He went to school and was only a llittle bit tardy, but complained the whole way about parents who can't make up their minds about what they want him to do.

Oh, my word! Are you sure you don't have my kid?!!! That sounds so familiar!

I was thinking the exact same thing!

Me also!
Apparently, DS12 could not find ANY of his jeans this morning! He walked in circles ranting which I ignored because the kid is notorious for never actually looking for anything. Here's the good part: when I pick up DS9 at lunch today, his jeans are 3 sizes too large, and he's having to stop and yank them up with every other step. So, I guess some of DS12's clothes really were missing afterall. For the record, DH dropped off DS9. I understand clothes loosen during the day... but come on!

Here's my question for the day...since we are all on a Disney board we obviously enjoy Disney. So my question is do you use the GAC when you go? And if you do how do you feel when you use it? Or if you don't, why not?

I use it because it makes our lives so much easier when we can have an alternate place to wait for our turn. But then I wonder if I'm hurting my kids by not letting them wait in the confines of a queue and learning to deal with that kind of stress. They wait in lines at home for things like play ground equipment, or in stores, or in restaurants. But then when I use it I feel guilty and embarssed because of how the kids look.
Daisy

Yes, we use the gac. I still feel really awkward asking for it and will wait until all heck is breaking loose before requesting one (three/four days in) which is a major flaw of the wait-and-see approach in the hands of a stubborn mom. Ofcouse, by the time we need one, the last thing I feel is guilt!
I honestly prefer touring plans and find them much more helpful than a GAC. Unfortunately, they depend on the Schmutch being cooperative, which just ain't happening somedays.

 

[bookwormde]

It is funny one of the things I learned is that it is necessary to formally cancel a old parental "directive" before trying to get acceptance of a new one which is in conflict. Just no social "autocancel"

bookwormde

 

[toodycat]

We don't use a GAC, but DS has always been kind of a patient guy. We just fast pass as much as possible and leave the park when he's tired.

NotUrsula---Love the fly story. Around here, DS and DH both think clothing is unimportant and they are both color blind when it comes to navy/black/brown. Essentially, I have to "proofread" their clothing before they leave in the a.m. DH has frequently stated that his life would be so much easier if I would just sew GRanimals to his clothes, so he would know which chinos go with which button down. DS has heard that appearances are not important and that it is what's inside that counts so many times that he doesn't much care what he looks like. He would definitely go to school with a broken fly. His favorite T-shirt is a tie-dyed Donald Duck T-shirt because "it has all colors in it, so it goes with everything." Amazingly, he manages to push even that envelope. Now that my foot is broken, DH has been helping DS choose his clothes which is essentially the color blind leading the color blind. I try to make sure I get a gander at each of them before they leave in the a.m.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, yes; we deal with that, too, because DS actually *is* colorblind, but I'm afraid I can't blame it on DH.

DS inherited it from my side of the family. We have it so badly that we even have some colorblind girls. My dad and brother essentially only saw shades of grey -- it was that bad.

I've actually done the Garanimals thing, in a manner of speaking. I went out and got some simple rubber stamps with things like shapes on them, and I've marked the clothes according to "shape family."