The Shroyer Family: Progress is Progress!

The end of the school year is fast approaching and with this time of year, come some fun events for the boys. Colin and Ethan, both, had their field day this week. For the elementary, the day is called Olympic Day and parents are invited to go and watch, whereas, the middle school is just for the kids to enjoy a little friendly competition with their peers, no parents invited. Colin, with his autism, these types of days aren't his favorite I don't think, but he does participate; however, for Ethan, he eats this all up. He loves it! This day, for me, is one that I've been able to be a part of for both boys and I've enjoyed that very much!

This year, Mrs. Jones, decided she would bring her triplets to help out the class. So, Colin got to spend the day with Joey and pal around at each event with him. It was going good, until.....Colin spotted me. UGH! He was funny and cute about it, but he would do an event and when he was done he would run off over to me. I would hug him, tug up his pants, and try to send him on his way. It worked for a few times, but finally around noon he was done. He had enough of the Olympic Day. I had sent in a movie, so I asked maybe it was time to go inside and just sit out the next hour and half, because he really truly did last a good part of the day. That's HUGE! I was so proud of him and tried my best to get him going and away from me, but by this point he wasn't having it and he wanted nobody BUT me!

So, I walked with him over to the school entrance and my plan was to have him walk in and enjoy the movie while I waited for the events to come to a close; however, Colin had other plans. I was not leaving without him and he made every effort to tell me, "all done", "go byes", "go car", "home" and yes, Mom heard him, but I tried to overlook it and get him moving on. Yeah, didn't work! That's when he started pinching, because his verbal cues weren't working. Yep, I, his mother, was ignoring the verbal cues...OMG, who does that?! I guess that would be me! My heart was in the right place, but looking back I should've acknowledged them and explained 1st and then 2nd, so he could understand. All he knew, Mom was not listening! They say hindsight is 20/20, but I should've known that and not that I didn't, I just didn't execute it properly. I mean my goodness I tell others to do it, why couldn't I? I don't know! I was trying to play by the school rules, I guess, and that's where I need to remind myself that I am his mother and I am allowed to say, "enough" whenever I feel the time is right and that is OK! I have to get better with that!

Anyway, looking back I realize that I need to get better, for Colin, in these types of environments. BUT, for now, for Colin to grow even more and stay involved with these types of things, Brenton is stepping in. I will miss it! I love being involved! I missed NOTHING with Ethan and that's what I think is eating at me, but I also realize Colin has other needs and is just better with daddy with these types of things. That's where I put my feeling aside, because for the sake of my son, my feelings don't matter! The best part, is how blessed are we that we have Brenton in our lives! I mean it, I couldn't do this without him!

So, even though the day didn't end the way I had planned, Colin really did do very well. He lasted almost 4 hours and was outside most of the day. That, in and of itself, is great progress! And, in my book, progress is progress! ♥