I've been thinking back a little, trying to remember when Monster Man really started showing signs of his TS and OCD. Though the majority of the signs didn't show themselves until the past couple of years, I have to wonder if maybe the anxiety started much earlier than I realized.
Monster Man didn't learn how to swim until this past summer. I didn't think too much of it, though I did notice that his troubles were due to fear once he realized that he was actually swimming without support. Before this summer, he'd make it about three feet before his feet would drop below the water and he would start to sink. I remember when he was younger, even when he was tall enough to touch in the shallow end, he'd start crying that he was drowning if I wasn't holding on to him. I thought he was just nervous and overreacting, and I kept reassuring him; we even quit going to the pool for quite some time just to give him a break from trying to teach him to swim. Now that I look back at it, knowing what he is experiencing with his anxiety/OCD, I have to wonder if this was an early sign of things to come.
Man, it's hard enough being a parent without having a child with difficulties. Still being a parent means we have to be able to handle anything life throws our way and as many hurdles as we jump there are also endearing moments that we will always treasure.
ReplyDeleteSay Alissa, are you the Allie from the old WritingUp days?
We've actually talked about his TS as being a gift that God gave him to make him even more special. Being a parent comes with highs and lows, and you have to find the best ways to help your kids through the hard times. Monster Man seems to accept what he is going through much better when he thinks of it as a gift. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Sire, I am the same Allie from WritingUp and Blogfeast. It's been a long time! So much has happened since then. I'm glad I finally found you and a few of the others again.
I haven't had time to look through your posts yet Allie, but just out of curiosity I must ask, Why Monster Man. Sort of sounds like a super hero of some sort.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you again as well. It's been awhile and it's always good bumping into old mates.
That explanation isn't on this blog, but on Random Thoughts From A Stay At Home Mom. Monster Man is the nickname we've called him since birth. He was 22 inches long and 8 lbs 4 oz at birth. He wasn't necessarily heavy when you saw his length, but he was a big baby overall. As he got bigger, the name seemed even more appropriate when you realized just how strong he really was (and still is). It does seem a little on the super hero side. We used to go "do do do, Monster Man" a lot when he was younger (kind of like an intro to a super hero show or when a super hero would show up in a scene).
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