The Foorce

Stressed about getting onto the plane (click on the article for happier times).

Please excuse the lack of writing lately, it’s back-from-vacation and back-to-school time! Which means, of course, that I have quite a bit to share with you if I could just find the time.

In the meantime, please check out my latest article on childmind.org, about how we prepared and sent James on a cross-country flight. Alone.

This summer, we bought James his first cell phone in anticipation of him walking alone to high school (just across the street) this Fall. He seemed to get the hang of it fairly quickly, and has developed a strong preference for texting versus actually talking. And as you all know, it’s sometimes hard to gauge emotions through a text…

Today I pulled into the loading zone at Lowe’s to pick up an already-paid-for order, and noticed that Ian and Donovan had both fallen asleep. I made a snap decision. “James, stay with the boys for just a second,” I said, turning on my flashers. “I just need to wheel the cart out and load the van, but text me if either of them wake up or if there is any kind of emergency and I’ll be out in a split second.”

“Sure thing Mom,” replied James. He slipped his phone out of his…

My 4 year old son has Aspergers, and let’s just say that despite our best efforts his social calendar mainly involves his siblings so far. His sometimes incessant ramblings about math, Minecraft, and National Geographic combined with a tendency to tantrum if “the rules” are not followed leave his preschool peers alarmed, confused, annoyed or a combination of all three.

Despite my certainty that Adam is destined for greatness someday, I do sometimes worry that he will be lonely, which is why his enthusiasm for our pet chickens came as a delightful surprise. But what has been even better is our chickens’ enthusiasm for Adam.

Due to popular demand, I have decided not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Though The Foorce may be left behind in NYC, Mondays and Monday Minutes are definitely still happening here in Texas. And with more kids than ever before, I figure more kids = more Monday Minutes, because everything’s bigger in Texas, right?

And yes, I know it’s not a Monday – let’s not get picky here.

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Ian (runs in, pointing to his chest): Mooommmmm, Adam drew a spot on me! 

Reader beware: this week’s photos contain graphic material that may be unsuitable for some viewers. I know I was unsettled.

This guy FLEW across the room the other night as I approached him armed with a bottle of Windex and a roll of Viva. He was like “Seriously? That’s all you got?” I am only slightly embarrassed to admit running back down the hall whimpering loudly enough to wake up two children.