Spoke Too Soon
Something that’s a trend with Emma (and a lot of kids with her condition) (and a lot of kids, in general) is her knack for perseverating. It’s frustrating! The girl won’t give up. Some things Emma is perseverating on right now:
- Pumpkins that are growing in our “garden”. (Are they growing? Can we pick them?Will they become jack-o-lanterns? Can we carve them?)
- The plate and screws in her hip. This is one topic I don’t mind her constant questions about. When it comes to her medical issues, we are very honest with her- in an age appropriate way, of course. But still.
- Her costume. (Can I wear it? Can I wear it to school? Does it fit? Do I need shoes? Can I grow Rapunzel hair?)
- Halloween. (Is it Halloween yet? Are our decorations up? Can I have some candy corn? Where’s my trick-or-treating bag? Can I get my bag? Can I see my bag?)
- Daddy. (Sweet and endearing, yes. But when you’re mom on the receiving end of “Is Daddy on his way? Is Daddy coming home? Can we call Daddy? Daddy’s going to love… Adorable, but for the mom who listens to it from 3:00-6:00 or later, whenever Daddy gets home. Hello? Am I chopped liver?)
~~AND THE BIGGEST ONE…
- Disneyland. (Is Disneyland over there? (usually pointing west) When can we go to Disneyland? What will I wear to Disneyland? Can I get cotton candy? Can we go now? Will we stay in a hotel room? Can we go faster? (that question relating to the rides and the actual travel west) Who is going to Disneyland with us? Not Daddy? Oh, I’ll miss Daddy (see previous perseveration) Can we go on Thunder Mountain? (which sounds like Funder Mountain, which is kinda cute) The questions keep coming.)
On the tea cups!
Now this topic, it’s my fault. If you know me, you know I have an absolute affinity for Disneyland and anything Disney related. And I got so excited thinking about our upcoming trip that I let the cat out of the bag. And I will pay for that. For 29 more days until we’re actually driving to Disneyland. And if you count the car ride there and the additional night stay that we have to endure before we actually go into the park, then 30 days. I am the adult. I should’ve contained my excitement. I can hold it in better than she can. Shame on me. I really shot myself in the foot this time.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s done this!
I feel your pain across the board….I too made the mistake of telling someone in front of Emily that we were going to go D-land…Why why why did I do that too myself… The worst part of the SOD is the perservations
Please don’t feel like I am telling you how to parent- I would never do that, nor would I ever want someone to do it to me. I also don’t fully understand your daughters condition, so this may not work for you. Having said that, have you thought about telling her that she has like 10 minutes to ask all the Disneyland questions she can ask? Make it like a fun game, set the timer on your phone, and then when the timers off, game over. That might help preserve your sanity. As for all the other questions, I remember my mom would write down the questions we asked the most and give us a little book and let us read the answers each time…. Also, for the car ride there, my mom used to record herself reading books and would play them in the car to us. Hope these ideas help, and please don’t feel like I am trying to run the show.
Robbie, in no way did I think you were trying to run the show!! I do really appreciate your suggestions on the ramblings of my daughter! I think giving her a 10 minute time limit is a wonderful idea and I look forward to trying it first thing tomorrow (because I know she’ll wake up asking!). I love your mom’s idea, too, of writing down the questions and letting the kids read the questions/answers. Unfortunately at this point Emma’s not able to read…yet. But I think that’s a wonderful idea for when she CAN read! Thank you again for your ideas! Love the timer idea! Best, Jessica
Ugh! What are we thinking, Marshelle!