There are a few things to talk about before I call it a night. Some are positive and others, not so much. I will begin with the more unpleasant stuff because I'd like to end on a positive note.
Part of the reason I haven't written much this weekend is because I'm really focusing on the kids and they're struggling quite a bit. I always focus on the kids but Elliott, in particular, has been very, very upset for the last day or so. I'm trying to give him some space while still helping him to work through some of this. Unfortunately, the best I can do is listen, help him to feel validated because, in many ways, he's not wrong. I also help him work on ways of dealing with his emotions in a more positive, less self-destructive way.
Thankfully, he's not holding it all in anymore and he's talking to me. There's not a great deal I can do, but venting seems to help him a bit. I'm so proud of him for speaking his mind. Now we have to really focus on managing his emotions.
Elliott's a very sensitive kid and feels things with more intensity. He's hurt, angry, scared and confused. Those are tough things to manage, especially at his age.
My hope for him is that he can learn to move passed some of these things or at least carry them in a healthier way. Elliott is such a sweet, empathetic, compassionate, insightful and brilliant kid. I just want him to be happy. He deserves to be happy.
Next on the list is Mr. Gavin. Gavin has been doing pretty well, at least behaviorally. He loses his temper but never lashes out at another living thing physically, aside from himself anyway.
This weekend, Gavin and I decided to spend some time rearranging his bedroom. He's got a smaller room and a queen-size bed. Space is at a premium and we wanted to change things around to make better use of the available space. During the process of moving furniture around in his room, I noticed or perhaps was just reminded that his problem-solving skills are sorely lacking.
We had to manipulate his furniture around the room in ways that allowed us to move other pieces of furniture as well. It was sorta along the lines of matching shapes. He just kept trying to shove the square peg into the round hole, so to speak.
Rather than simply correct him, I stopped him and we worked out what the best thing to do was and why. It made things sorta drag out considerably but I feel like it's the right thing to do.
To his credit, he kept himself under control and was most receptive. He doesn't like making mistakes and that's usually one of his biggest triggers. To me, it's not so much about the mistakes themselves but rather learning what we can them and applying that to future situations.
It's definitely going to be a lifelong work in progress. Progress is slow at best but this kid never gives up and neither will I.
I mentioned I wanted to end on a positive note and intend to do just that.
Emmett has been in a lot of physical and emotional pain. The emotional stuff has led to more physical pain in the form of fever disorder related mouth sores. He's been doubly miserable for over a week now.
The good news is that it looks like we may be nearing the end of this cycle. The bad news is he's still in a lot of pain.
This weekend, Emmett and I worked together on a new puzzle. I think I talked about that yesterday a little bit. Anyway, it's proving to be an amazing distraction and he's completely enthralled. This kid spent almost the entire afternoon working on this thing. It's 1000 pieces and that's the biggest he's taken on this far.
He's totally owning it though and has made serious progress. I've helped but he's hands down the biggest contributor here.
I'm going to need to figure out a budget for these puzzles or maybe a sponsorship because he's knocking these things out pretty quick.
It's a very positive way to channel his energies right now. He's currently spending more time on these puzzles than his phone and I love that.
