Three, smoldering

We’ve had some improvements in Seamus’ behavior of late. Not meltdowns, which I count separately since they plug into some more primal outlet on his  emotional baseline, but in the constant testing and getting into our faces. More often his antics read to me as “energetic wild child” and not “little sociopath”. 

He’s still figuring out emotions and getting easily overwhelmed, so that’s our next stop on the creative parenting train. I want him to acknowledge his feelings, state his needs, and stand up for himself verbally, as well as apologize and offer amends. I’m also starting to see places in his daily rhythms where he’s actively listening, so I’m trying to plug into those as much as possible. I plan to make one day a week our solo day, where it’s just he and I in the world. He’s getting a lot of exposure to kids his age, so I’m not worried about that, but he constantly asks for playdates, and I would like him to be able to entertain himself and be comfortable with not having tons of stimulation all the time.

That sounds like work, but really, after spending the last two years trying to keep him from maiming or killing himself, it’s a nice change of pace. After he and Patrick come back with a new battery for the Subaru (long story), we’re off for a hike, some lunch, and a little birdwatching.