Oh Mr. Morning, We Meet Again

Beautiful post! Thank you for the reminder to appreciate the typical, everday happenings.

Great post. One of the joys of your site and others is that sense of not being alone in these struggles. Thanks!

Although my daughter is just 2 years old, I can really feel for you. Some weeks ago her only answer to any question was "No" now it's "But I ..." Little children, little worries ;-)
Thank you for sharing this wonderful quote ... I've got tears in my eyes, because it's sooo true...I will hold this in my heart.

Not only did I love reading your post (as it seems to be my world right now too), it's nice to see all the others are in the same boat.
I guess the darker mornings and life is "normal" again in October, the protest begins.

so very glad to have read that quote at the end....we've had a very challenge 10 days with "daddy" away on business.....really though, what glorious and wonderful times the "every day" is!
xoxo

Thank you, Ali, for a wonderful post. My 8 yr old son, who is diagnosed with PDD-NOS, also experiences these moments especially around March and April. I have learned to take it all in stride since his neurodevelopmental pediatrician tells me that it is normal. School is hard especially the unstructured times - lunch and recess. But despite the challenges, he still goes to school each day, is one who follows all the rules, is friendly to all but friend to none. And I find that when I push him, that's when he loses it. So, I've backed off and let him go with the flow.

We have gone into "radio silence" afterschool Mon-Thurs (no tv, computer, video) and it has been lovely. Before it was cranky chaos. Now it's shalom in the home.

I had similar stuff going on with my middle boy/beastie last year. He was in Grade 1 and he didn't like being at school so much. Once in a while I would give him an out and we'd do something together and finish his school work later. Those were special days and his teacher was very supportive. I wrote about one here...http://snickerdoodles.typepad.com/snickerdoodle_life/2008/11/wookie-day.html
Good luck, love your blog.
k

That would make a great stamp set: After School / When We Get Home / etc. - Free Time / Snack / No TV, etc. / Homework / Brush Teeth / etc.
Now there's a stamp set I'd use every day!

Ali...thanks again for being real and sharing authentic glimpses into your life. It helps to remind me that I'm normal...and our morning struggles and fun attitudes and phrases are not specific to my house only. :)

thank you for posting all your thoughts. i am the mother of a 4.5 yoa bipolar son. so we often have difficult days. today is one of those. your thoughts have lifted my spirits. thank you again, especially for the prayer....that's something i must continually remind myself to do....cherish the now.

I really think that has been adding to the attitude and behavior Melanie. Bring on the shalom.

My 15 year old sophomore has Asperger's Syndrome. Big hugs your way. I know how amazing a 'normal' feeling day can be! It surely is exhausting to have a child on the spectrum. Hugs to you and your DH, as well as Simon and Anna.

Thanks for sharing the prayer/thought. I need that reminder too! We have this usual crankiness this time of year as well (and we home learn, so it isn't about school)..... I always chalk it up to dreary days or less daylight from time changes, or *whatever* I need to chalk it up to so I can simply cope until it passes. And, thankfully, it always does. Hang in there!

This quote is beautiful! It made me think of the play Our Town; on those hard days (esp. when all 3 kids have been challenging)I sometimes picture the scene where Emily says "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?" I don't know Emily, but I'm trying, I really, really am!!

Wow! I agree. I love that quote and can totally relate. Not too long ago on my blog I wrote about needing to remember days when my child did exactly what he needed. "I need to remember days like today."
On your blog on another day you wrote of the dinner time struggle. At the same time we were having hour long dinners and I repeated over and over, "Sit your bottom down!."
Thanks for your blog. I check it every day and love all the variety you offer.

I needed to hear your thoughts today so much. We are in the same organizational transition with our son and the consequence of following through with what HE chooses or fails to choose (the first time) as well. Our days have been quite challenging this school year and I was running out of emotional steam. Thank you for sharing "normal day". You are a bit of sunshine each day! Whether you share a story, layout, company, technique, quote, etc. it is a change of reflection even if for only a few moments. I hope you know how much you bless the lives of so many. Thank you! Smiles!

To everything there is a season. For you, it's October. For us, it's April, when my teacher husband gets done with spring vacation, then realizes how much time is left before school is over. It makes him VERY cranky for awhile, but I hafta say: pointing the pattern out to him really helped, but maybe not so much with a little guy. (But maybe it will help you to remember that it went away once; it will again.) One more thing: on the really 'bad' days, we switched. I 'did' their home work, but they HAD to help. :) (reverse-reverse psychology--something about me holding the pencil that made it all better for them.)

Hi Ali,
I love normal days too.
Anthea

Hi Ali,
I say that prayer often. When things feel hectic and out of control I stop and take time to say a prayer of thanks for the "normal day," and I think of at least one thing that I am thankful for at that minute. (The "normal day" is often the thing I am thankful for.)
I'm also thankful for wonderful blogs like yours! It's what I do in my "free time" after school! (I teach 4th grade) (and I look forward to it every day) - both teaching and reading your blog!