Have you ever read one of Laura Numeroff's children's book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? She has many other similarly related themed children's books such as If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, etc. She has over 30 published children's books.
Anyway, I couldn't help but think of her book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, because it reads, "If you give a mouse a cookie, he is going to want some milk." The mouse goes on to ask for a mirror to check for a milk mustache, followed by scissors to trim his hair and continues on and on. The story always makes me smile and laugh because the mouse is a perfect example of how children behave and their endless need for us.
The other day, I brought my three kids to see my parents at their home out in the country. My middle child ran to give her grandparents hugs, my youngest ran to hug the dog and my little Aspie went to the den where it is quiet and took out a toy phone. I didn't think much of it until I went to check on her and found the phone and a toy radio dissected. When I asked what she was doing, she asked if I had a screw driver. She just turned six. SIX! Jokingly I said, "Maybe I should get you some goggles too?" She, of course, said with a straight face, "Oh yes, that's a good idea. Get me some of those too."
It took me a second to realize, my sarcasm is lost on her. So I sat down and told her that mommy was kidding. That I didn't have goggles. Without hesitation she told me not to worry because Grandpa does in the shed. She quickly got up and ran outside to the shed to grab a screw driver and goggles. I sat there dumbfounded. She always amazes me. I would have never thought to unscrew a toy phone to disconnect the wires only to see how the thing worked.
I sat there contemplating -
Should I stop her from taking apart the toys?
Is it dangerous?
Why should I stomp on her curiosity?
So I let her tinker.
I wonder what will happen in five or ten years when I give her a microscope?
So the story would then read If you give Mary a microscope, she is going to want some slides?! LOL
Moments like these I treasure.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Dear Mean People
It saddens me to new depths to read the hate mail sent to Canadian
Brenda Millson regarding her autistic grandson Max Begley. Click the link to
read it http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2397412/Autistic-boy-Max-Begley-receives-hate-letter-Euthanize-donate-non-retarded-body-parts.html.
Unfortunately, I am no stranger to hearing such evil
thoughts (although no one has ever suggested harm to my children). I share this personal story to let Max’s mom
and Grandmother know that they are not alone. Unfortunately, many people will
not learn more than the word “autism.” I urge people to know more than just the
word by writing and speaking on autism related issues. My hope is that someday
people will respect people with autism.
Here is my story…
Approximately, eight months ago my husband and I had to move
our family of five (us and three kids).
We almost settled for a house that was on the opposite side of the state
over an hour from any friends or family when at the last moment we found a four
bedroom just on the opposite side of the town that we currently lived. It was a good size home for us but has barely
any yard. I tried to be optimistic about it, since it is near a park. I tried
to reassure myself that we can just simply walk to the park if they need to
stretch their legs. However, life set in and we are lucky to go for a walk
twice a week.
Since we moved in during December there was not much
communication with anyone in the neighborhood. I always eagerly greeted people
and introduced myself but not many seemed interested to continue a
conversation. Thankfully, as the months
went by and I had to lug three children up the street to the bus stop I
eventually met people.
With spring came kids running from house to house. It was a
friendly site to see, making me reminisce growing up in the Litchfield hills of
Connecticut, playing with all the neighborhood kids on the local green. I
thought we had finally found a place that we fit. Until a simple incident at
the end of March brought a staunch realization, we hadn’t made friends we were
merely being tolerated.
This is my side of the story…
I pulled into the driveway to see my husband and my two
youngest children playing on the patio. I got out of my van to see my five year
old daughter come running across the front of neighbor’s lawn crying. She
buried her face in my belly. In between sobs, she told me her ball accidentally
went over the fence. So her father told her to go ask for it back. However, as she stood at the neighbor’s door
waiting to explain that she just simply needed her ball back, she was screamed
at and the door was slammed. Meanwhile
my husband has brought the younger two inside. I tried ushering her inside with
everyone so I could calm her down and talk to her. Thankfully I got her inside
just in time. However I wasn’t as lucky. The lady neighbor came marching
outside yelling, “I’ll give you the fucking ball back. I should pop the damn
thing! You should shut your fucking kids up. All they do is fucking scream! You
know I’m trying to work right here.” [pointing to an open window and throwing
the ball over the fence]
I could of swore right back, but my parents have raised me
on the belief that if you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at
all. I have personally never been one to
not say something, so I merely suggested, “Then you better shut your window
because we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
I went back inside and consoled my daughter. She kept asking over and over again why
someone would yell at her and why someone would use bad words at mommy.
Soon after, I calmed her I went to my bedroom to unravel the
tense mess that I had become. These were the same people that had helped plow
our driveway during the blizzard. Had I been that naïve? Was my family really
that disruptive to the community? My head swirled with what ifs and maybe I
should thoughts. Ultimately, I knew the answer. I tried to respect the
community by never letting my kids outside before 9am and always having them
back indoors by 6:30pm. I try to keep the noise low or I bring them inside, but
they are children. We moved to a street that has tons of children thinking that
our kids could play outside and be kids.
Meanwhile, I heard a knock at the door and my husband
talking to her husband telling him it was okay. WHAT?! I thought to myself.
It is NOT OKAY! It is not okay for people to swear at my
kids or me. It is NOT okay to slam a door and scream at a child that is simply
asking for her ball back.
Could the situation have been handled better? Sure. Could my
husband have walked her over? Maybe, but then he would’ve had to bring all
three kids to witness her wrath.
I can’t believe that people can be so mean. The letter that
this grandmother and mother had to read is heartbreaking to me because it
reinforces that people are mean and cowardly.
Did the woman that wrote the note sign her name? – No, of
course not. Did my neighbor come and apologize? No, she sent her husband.
There are some very valuable lessons that we should all
learn, if you can’t say it or display it at school or church then you should
not say it or display it anywhere. Some thoughts should stay locked in your
head. Never, respond when angry. Wait until you calm down. Try to remember what
it was like when you were a kid. Most importantly, know that you are no better
than anyone else. You have no right to suggest harm or silence on anyone.
This kind of behavior should not be tolerated. Let's join with Kevin Healey http://www.autism-campaign.co.uk/autism-bullying-campaign/ and fight for stricter laws against bullies and hate crimes such as these.
This kind of behavior should not be tolerated. Let's join with Kevin Healey http://www.autism-campaign.co.uk/autism-bullying-campaign/ and fight for stricter laws against bullies and hate crimes such as these.
To the people that have acted in hurtful mean manner: If you
want quiet – move to any island or the woods. Based on your actions and words,
I don’t think society will miss your mean spirited ways. You complain of a
little noise, while you go around inflicting psychological and emotional
turmoil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)