My daughter loves animals. Let me clarify...my daughter is OBSESSED with animals. One of the aspects of Aspergers - it's her "passion".
When she was a toddler, we bought her plastic animals in bulk to play with and she would spend hours organizing them in a marching waves across the tv room floor. The penguins in front, polar bears off to the side - so they wouldn't eat the penguins - monkeys pushing up the rear.
As a Jewish mom I didn't let it throw me. I just thought, "so, she'll be a vet." (Hey, there's good money in animal care.)
Today we were in the car on the way home from someplace air-conditioned and we started talking about animals. Izzy wanted to know what kind of animal I thought she was most like. First I said "Bird." She liked that. Then I said "Wait, Squirrel." She liked that more. Then I thought "hmm...here is an opportunity to use her "passion" to tell her something great about herself - to INSPIRE her." So I said "No...you're like a leopard! You're brave, you're fast and you're incredibly smart!"
She smiled but said "You know, mom, I know a girl who spent the whole school year pretending to be a possum! Now that's awesome!" Obviously, she didn't care so much about the animal's actual traits, but rather was Wowed by the fact that this girl could pull off being a possum for a whole year.
I have to say, I'm impressed by that kid too. The level of commitment is astounding. A whole year - probably spent mostly upside down on the monkey bars. I too was Wowed and satisfied that the possum story sent a positive message.
After all, it takes a lot of commitment to become a vet.
So did possum girl sleep through school? Was she upside down at her desk? Or just at home?
ReplyDeleteI want to know! Jennifer
I have no idea. She wouldn't give me details (it's a friend of a friend). I think there might be a TV movie in it though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog! I'm following you...saw it on PeachHead. I love anyone who can have a sense of humor about parenting. It can be so hard, yet so funny (at times). I'll check back.
ReplyDeleteChristina Simon
www.beyondthebrochure.blogspot.com
Hi! I'm visiting from MBC. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you said in your "What is Mommy Lite?" It makes total sense to me, especially because I am a mother as well. We all have our challenges and life is easier when we make "lite" of it! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteBTW, just found you from MBC and I am your most recent follower. :)