I think we can all understand the preference to have our environment one way or another to make us feel safe and comfortable. However, it seems that we all have unique isolated preferences that border on needs -- and that seem to have no logic or significance when examined objectively. What truly puzzles me, is the seeming randomness in how or why we choose these certain 'particulars'. They are different for so many of us, and yet we cling to them like tiny isolated obsessions. Kids seem to be a great window into this, as they react so dramatically when their security particulars are even slightly tweaked.
Instructions for keeping Andy from having a fit in daily life:
He drinks an Apple Juice/Water mixture that usually borders on 40% Apple and 60% water. If you ever try and slip him water... forget it, he blows up.
The door to his room must be half-way open when he goes to bed. For those of you who have ever tucked him in, you know how important this is. Oh and Andy will remind you about 20x as you are putting him down, just in case you missed the first 19.
When done with bath, blue elephant bath towel must be put on immediately, and wrapped with the paws tucked in and around. Any failure to properly wrap will result in complete hysteria.
Baseball hat (which is adored and worn most of the time) must be self applied. While adult application of said hat is tolerated, subject must be allowed to remove, and re-apply.
Instructions for keeping Katie from having a fit in daily life:
Clothing selection must be self determined. Pre selecting clothing without approval by subject shall be considered an affront to personal freedom and will be met with hostility and ridiculous whining.
Milk shall be consumed in bed, in a sippie at bedtime. Milk shall be heated for 45 seconds. Under heating, overheating, juice, water, or absence of milk shall not be tolerated by subject. If milk is not ready when bedtime ritual begins, subject will remind the preparer that she desires WARM milk. When milk is then prepared and presented, subject will again ask if the milk is warm, and will look preparer in the eye to attempt to determine if there is any deception afoot.
Seatbelt shall be self-secured. Any attempt to interfere with setbelt administration will be me with crying and general anger.
Barbies have the universe's most complicated fashion agenda, and no Barbie can leave the house without wearing the cosmically determined outfit. Said fashion agenda's documentation seems to only exist inside the heads of 4-year old girls. Attempts to deter or interfere with this process shall be met with torrential resistance.
(Pics presented below to show subjects in agreeable state)
3 comments:
Oh Steve - its 10:30 pm and you just opened up one of my favorite topics - needs. So prepare yourself, tomorrow, wide eyed and whatever else is appropriate, I will tell you why they do that - and also why we (you and me) have some strange (in the kids eyes) behaviors - well maybe I won't go there but I will explain why they do what they do. Or at least I will share with you why I THINK they do what they do. :-) Love,
Instructions for keeping Steve from having a fit in everyday life:
Don't post about needs and/or relatinship issues pertaining to or from subject's mother!
Ok - lets talk about bowling - I NEED to go again soon - it was fun!
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