He runs to make his mind still, to organize himself and to get rid of the noise from this loud, confusing world. The more he's moved, the more he's introduced patterns and rhythm into his routine. Laps around the house are a daily ritual. He's made it more complex as he's developed, but the basics are the same. There is a pattern of movement -- specific foot patterns based on whatever song or chant he chooses to accompany the run, and he can not be stopped until he is ready to be.

This is James, and this is our story.


Monday, February 13, 2012

Moment of Truth Monday - The B Word

Everyone once in a while, six year old Johnny tries to see if I'll give him permission to say the forbidden words. A few months ago, he asked if he could say the "F" word out loud to me so he would know if he was saying it correctly, and then be able to successfully avoid saying it.

Tonight, driving to the social worker, it became clear that he was worried his older brother might also fall into the same trap.

Johnny: "Mom! Someone wrote the B word on the bus! But you know what? They spelled it wrong! They didn't spell it with the "t" in it, is was just spelled with the "ch" after the 'i'! But I KNEW what the word was. Do you know what it is Mom?"

Me: "I do know what the word is, Johnny."

James: "Can you stop talking now? You're bothering me! I don't even know what you're talking about."

Johnny: "Mom! JAMES DOESN"T EVEN KNOW! Can I explain to him that it is the bad word that starts with the "B" but it has an "i" and a "t" and THEN the "ch"? Just so he knows what the word is?"

Silent pause in the car...

"Mom? is it OK if I explain that to James so he knows?"

Then a little more quietly: "Oh. I just did, didn't I?"