In which Ma is dense.... Or "What would a NORMAL mom do?"
Most of the time, I understand Younger Son pretty well. Younger Son is Aspie and so am I, to a slightly lesser degree. I can usually figure out his thought process by thinking, "What would I have thought at his age?" and adjust for the fact that he's male, and there are computers tech in his life (there were computers in my life growing up, but not like in his). We rub along very well.
Sometimes the process breaks down. Last night it was over school photos. It hasn't been a problem up to now. I don't particularly like the studio that does the photos. They invariably catch my boys in a DERP moment. Sometimes, we get a Calvin and Hobbes-esque photo, so I don't usually buy the photos. I also don't like that the studio hides the least expensive option on the sign up sheet.
Younger Son was upset this time and it took me a while to figure out why. He said that the photographers yell at you if you don't have the form filled out, but I finally figured out that probably every other kid comes in with a photo order and he didn't want to be the only kid without. Fine. I hunted up the $10 for the cheapest order and we'll see what we get.
What this means is that I need to shift gears. Younger Son is starting to want to fit in. He has the concept of "Passing for Normal" much earlier than I did, but then I got my self diagnosis the same time Younger Son got his official diagnosis. I'll try to help him. It does help with life to be able to fit in; to do the same stuff as everyone else. I'm a whole lot weirder on the inside than I let show on the outside, and that is OK. I'll figure out how to explain to him that his brain wiring, and how he is, fine.
Sometimes the process breaks down. Last night it was over school photos. It hasn't been a problem up to now. I don't particularly like the studio that does the photos. They invariably catch my boys in a DERP moment. Sometimes, we get a Calvin and Hobbes-esque photo, so I don't usually buy the photos. I also don't like that the studio hides the least expensive option on the sign up sheet.
Younger Son was upset this time and it took me a while to figure out why. He said that the photographers yell at you if you don't have the form filled out, but I finally figured out that probably every other kid comes in with a photo order and he didn't want to be the only kid without. Fine. I hunted up the $10 for the cheapest order and we'll see what we get.
What this means is that I need to shift gears. Younger Son is starting to want to fit in. He has the concept of "Passing for Normal" much earlier than I did, but then I got my self diagnosis the same time Younger Son got his official diagnosis. I'll try to help him. It does help with life to be able to fit in; to do the same stuff as everyone else. I'm a whole lot weirder on the inside than I let show on the outside, and that is OK. I'll figure out how to explain to him that his brain wiring, and how he is, fine.