It is a different night in Pandey household.
Anand will be 13 next week and I don’t remember him sleeping
away even for a night. Kids on spectrum don’t get to experience the usual fun
stuff so sleep over is nor something they would do. Few months ago when I read
about Camp Havago I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to do that. But mom in me
wanted him to have the usual growing up experience. It has been my mission
to help my son find his circle of friends. He is in such a place that finding a
friend is very difficult.
So here comes the night he is off to Camp for 4 nights. I
cannot believe it. It started with “I don’t want any camp” to “ I hate camps”
to somehow “OK, but you will pick me up every night” to “ OK, I will try” It
started with a little push - you have to do it, Doc and school want you to
learn few things” to bribe ( I will buy to a 3 DS) to OK you should give it a
try. I have to give credit to his behavior therapist Doc A too. He was
instrumental in explaining Anand how important the camp life is. How much fun
it could be.
So finally we went to the open house and it changed
everything. My son has a way to steal the heart. Those counselors are well
trained and Anand is a charming kid. We went with a grumpy kid who went there
only so he could eat out. But I brought home back a happy kid who was looking
forward to the camp.
I couldn’t believe my ears when he said he will go to the
camp. But he was worried how would he sleep away from home and we talked about
it in bits and pieces.
So finally he is going to camp tomorrow and here we were planning
and packing.
It has been a great Monday for him after few days in Maine and a movie and ice cream Monday with dad he was a happy kids. I am
sure it might have hit him hard. I was trying to pack and trying to engage him
and all of sudden it was just an outburst. “I don’t want to go to camp” He
threw away all those ironed clothes, fought with dad and screamed and shouted.
Within minutes all those stacked clothes were on floor.
I now think Ashish was right when he commented that Anand is
going to a summer camp, nobody cares if the shirts are ironed or not.
So after talking and pasta dinner and ice cream dessert my
son is off to bed with a calm mind and here I am thinking and wondering what
the hell happened. I know he is nervous and it was just his way of saying that
he is worried and nervous. I am in the same boat. I cannot wait for him to
enjoy those days and have a different experience. I am looking forward to have
4 days to my self when I will have different evenings.
So here we are doing what we can to ease ourselves. Ashish
watching TV, I am typing my blog and hopefully boys are sleeping.
Wonder how Autism changes world and its meaning to families
like us.
Hopefully it will be a different morning and when he comes
back on Saturday he will be happier Anand.
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