A better flight plan

Greetings y'all ;

Yesterday was actually a pretty good day for the Robinson Boys. Xander had a decent day at camp, until the very end- we are addressing the fact he has to face his punishment even if he has a good day . I truly am trying to work with him on this but it's difficult because it doesn't make sense to me. I inquired about it yesterday but was rather emotional and perhaps a tad forceful.

But what my child saw was his father get very angry and defend him. Defend his son with out yelling or hitting. But vociferously stand by him. I lost a friend when I made a comparison of how different staff and children are treated differently. Hence why I try not to mix friends with co-workers.

Listen folks that camp has great potential. There are some wonderful staff members. It's for kids with special needs . My son is diagnosed with quirky and exuberant err ADHD . He is not perfect but he's got separation anxiety and doesn't need to forced away from me. He understands our roles during the day. He gets it. He doesn't feel entitled because I work there but feels more punished. He sees how others are treated versus himself. I suppose I feel frustrated that my voice as a parent was muted.

So those are selfish feelings formed from my perspective. Right or wrong they are mine . As I give validity to every sentient being so to do I seek or wish for validity for my feelings and thoughts. I know sounding off won't solve the problem though.

Meanwhile back at the ranch ....

After the incident at work we came home and swam...and swam and swam.... We're Pisces -its what we do and its great therapy. We played and laughed. I forced myself to give him a lesson in life and in sports.

We had several races in the pool and I won most of them. He accepted that. We played a form of baseball as well. I learned my child needs to be taught the rules of baseball. He did not like striking out or getting out or me getting runs. He screamed and cried and wailed and I calmly helped him navigate through the storm. He has to be the captain of that ship and and learned to get through it. The lifeguard was understandably irritated listening to my son scream, but he understood that I was teaching a lesson. At one point we took a brief time out and I had man cub raise on arm up in the air over his head ( this was we feel like like when we hit the ball, score a run , etc...) then drop the other arm by his side ( this is what we feel like when we get a strike or the other is successful) . I asked if he could fly like that? His response " no daddy that's just silly " next I asked him to show me how wings look that can fly. He held is arms straight out in a nice line from finger tip across his shoulder to his other finger tips. Naturally my next query was which way is best for a successful endeavor ? Really high then really low and continue that vacillation? Or maintain equilibrium while soaring ? He chose "B" ...good boy ! Amazing he didn't have to sit out or get yelled at. It was a teachable moment with out punishment. Only natural consequences and it worked. Not gonna lie he has field day today and may get upset. It's not the losing it's the fact that he likes he try again and again until he masters something and is successful with it.

I continued to play hard, be calm and firm when I was successful and when he was not . The little bugger ended up beating me fair and square. I loved it! Sportsmanship can be a difficult lesson to learn. We've a long row to hoe but at least we have a better flight plan and visual and physical cue to helps us maintain our steady altitude.

Another bonus to staying at the pool late was a friend showed up with fresh picked cucumbers and tomatoes and shared his harvest. Guess who had pasta and über fresh gravy for dinner? Hmm perhaps tonight is salsa night?

I may have lost a summer job for next year. I definitely lost support from some co-workers and a potential friend. But last night Junior Mint said " you're a gold medal dad because you defend me and coach me" dang it little dude - you always seem to know how to wrap your little fingers around my heart.

We will take these lessons we have learned and use them to strengthen ourselves.

Thanks for reading folks !