Cold feet

The last 2-3 weeks have been quite difficult with Little C, more-so than usual. We’re not sure why or what has triggered it. Possibly the lead up to Christmas? but I’m not convinced this is the issue as it started early November and given that he doesn’t really go anywhere he wouldn’t be aware of all the Christmas hype in the outside world. 

His stammer and tics are through the roof and he is hyperactive to the extreme. Bouncing around from morning til very late at night. Almost like he’s in a manic state. He is wanting to dominate and control everything and everyone to a really high level and we’ve had some major outbursts. It’s like walking on egg shells, one small thing and he could blow.

This morning for example his feet were cold and I suggested putting socks on or getting under the fleece blanket ….but no, he only wanted to warm them on my face!! (it’s ok, you can laugh - I know it’s funny). The fact I said no made him feel the need to do it even more and things quickly spiralled. Because of course I’ll let him do some things and accommodate him where I can and yeah maybe I should have just let him warm his feet on my face - on a different day maybe I’d have said yes - but this morning I didn’t want clammy cold dirty feet on my face! Who would?

Tying in with the last few weeks, Little C hasn’t made it to school at all during this time. He seems to have lost interest altogether and any tiny amount of suggestion he just shuts us down. I have absolutely no idea what to do about the whole school situation.

Despite the frustration of his stammer and tics and the relentless need to control everything, he is actually really happy. Dancing and singing and constantly performing and wanting us to watch him and laugh. All any parent wants is for their child to be happy at the end of the day right? 

He is also showing more awareness of his behaviours and although he can’t control them at the time he is becoming able to talk calmly about things afterwards. He has spontaneously apologised a few times too - notably when he’s lashed out, I’m still not convinced he understands the reasoning of situations and in his head he is aways being treated unfairly.

So apart from all that, the tree is up and we’re ready for the big man. As usual, Christmas is very low key here. No big trips out or anything. 

Earlier this week Little C was thrilled to see the Rotary Santa on the street but didn’t want to get too close or have a photo, and he was more than happy to be back inside the house to warm his little feet.

I used to feel sad that he was missing out on all of the festive fun. Not that I could ever force him to even go or participate anyway. I recently tried again and made a few suggestions of places to go to see Santa in his grotto and Little C asked, will it be busy? (yes), will it be cold? (probably), will it be noisy? (very likely). Then he said he’d go if he could have a McDonald’s afterwards. So basically he wanted a treat to go to something that is supposed to be a treat. I told him he could have the McDonald’s anyway, he didn’t have to go to see Santa.

As I’m getting older, I’m finding this quiet no-frills Christmas idea actually suits me more. Home and warm with an occasional home delivered Happy Meal as a treat for Little C (and Big Macs for rest of us!) 

    (Not everyone will get this picture but it really made me laugh)