Boy Scout Camp
Happy Summer everyone!!!
Not only is it sweet summertime, but I have also completed one of my major responsibilities for the summer, VBS!! It was amazing; God is amazing!!
I am so thankful for how it went, for the kids that came, and for all the work and help that went into making it a success. Now, onto the next thing.
Brad is going to Boy Scout in a couple of weeks. Without me. There's the kicker.
Last year he went on a Boy Scout campout over the weekend and did great! (As far as I am told) and came home happy and loving it! We also went to church camp for the first time last year. That was a week long, and he had a blast! Momma was close by in the girl's dorm all week though, so I was close at hand. We had a few meltdowns that I dealt with me Brad's male sponsor had to deal with, but all in all he had a GREAT week.
So why am I so worried about this camp? Because, sometimes I am in denial about Bradley. I know that he is capable of doing things that NT (neuro-typical) kids can do, but just because he is capable does that mean he should?
In some ways, he is like every other 10 year old boy. And in some ways, life pushes him beyond what he can handle. I have always been there to manage him when he goes off in a tailspin, or melts down. (Interesting that meltdown is one word but melts down is two...) I trust his pack leader. She has been WONDERFUL and patient and kind with him all year, so trusting that she will take care of him is not my issue. What I am concerned about is, am I in denial about him being able to do this? Am I pushing him because I want him to be like the other kids his age? Because I want him to have these experiences and memories? Because I think every kid should go to camp and sleep in a tent and shower with daddy long legs? (haha, takes me back to Girl Scout camp.... cold showers and spider friends).
I honestly have no idea. And I could tell myself, "Well, if Bradley wants to do it, then I'm not pushing him!" But the problem with that is, he changes his mind based on what is going on that very moment. If he is in the middle of a video or Minecraft, he doesn't want to do because all he can focus on is Minecraft. If he is having a bad day and doesn't want to go anywhere or be around people, he doesn't want to go. If he hears about some of the classes they are taking and that they are swimming, he wants to go. He has a hard time committing. So I have no idea how he will be up to the day it is time to go. Plus, I know better than to base my decisions on the opinion of a 10 year old, haha. I always consider his opinion, but I'm Momma, I make the decision.
I hope you guys are following along and I am not confusing you. Sometimes I am not sure if anyone gets me. Having a kid on the spectrum is so confusing sometimes. And like they say, If you've met one kid with Autism, you've met one kid with Autism, because they are all SOOOO different.
Long story short (that was for you Lissa!) Brad is headed to Boy Scout camp in a couple of weeks. I have tried to prepare him so he knows some of what to expect. We have a schedule, and map, a packing list, a list of rules, a menu of meals for the week... I'm just a worrying Momma, and I want the best for my boy.
And yes, sometimes, I just want him to be a normal 10 year old making normal memories and having a normal Summer. And he is. He is his own normal, and I need to remember that. He is a happy kid most of the time. He has his creature comforts, like we all do, and beyond all of that, he is extremely loved.
So pray for me, and pray for him. And pray for his leaders that will be there with him :)
Love yall
Not only is it sweet summertime, but I have also completed one of my major responsibilities for the summer, VBS!! It was amazing; God is amazing!!
I am so thankful for how it went, for the kids that came, and for all the work and help that went into making it a success. Now, onto the next thing.
Brad is going to Boy Scout in a couple of weeks. Without me. There's the kicker.
Last year he went on a Boy Scout campout over the weekend and did great! (As far as I am told) and came home happy and loving it! We also went to church camp for the first time last year. That was a week long, and he had a blast! Momma was close by in the girl's dorm all week though, so I was close at hand. We had a few meltdowns that I dealt with me Brad's male sponsor had to deal with, but all in all he had a GREAT week.
So why am I so worried about this camp? Because, sometimes I am in denial about Bradley. I know that he is capable of doing things that NT (neuro-typical) kids can do, but just because he is capable does that mean he should?
In some ways, he is like every other 10 year old boy. And in some ways, life pushes him beyond what he can handle. I have always been there to manage him when he goes off in a tailspin, or melts down. (Interesting that meltdown is one word but melts down is two...) I trust his pack leader. She has been WONDERFUL and patient and kind with him all year, so trusting that she will take care of him is not my issue. What I am concerned about is, am I in denial about him being able to do this? Am I pushing him because I want him to be like the other kids his age? Because I want him to have these experiences and memories? Because I think every kid should go to camp and sleep in a tent and shower with daddy long legs? (haha, takes me back to Girl Scout camp.... cold showers and spider friends).
I honestly have no idea. And I could tell myself, "Well, if Bradley wants to do it, then I'm not pushing him!" But the problem with that is, he changes his mind based on what is going on that very moment. If he is in the middle of a video or Minecraft, he doesn't want to do because all he can focus on is Minecraft. If he is having a bad day and doesn't want to go anywhere or be around people, he doesn't want to go. If he hears about some of the classes they are taking and that they are swimming, he wants to go. He has a hard time committing. So I have no idea how he will be up to the day it is time to go. Plus, I know better than to base my decisions on the opinion of a 10 year old, haha. I always consider his opinion, but I'm Momma, I make the decision.
I hope you guys are following along and I am not confusing you. Sometimes I am not sure if anyone gets me. Having a kid on the spectrum is so confusing sometimes. And like they say, If you've met one kid with Autism, you've met one kid with Autism, because they are all SOOOO different.
Long story short (that was for you Lissa!) Brad is headed to Boy Scout camp in a couple of weeks. I have tried to prepare him so he knows some of what to expect. We have a schedule, and map, a packing list, a list of rules, a menu of meals for the week... I'm just a worrying Momma, and I want the best for my boy.
And yes, sometimes, I just want him to be a normal 10 year old making normal memories and having a normal Summer. And he is. He is his own normal, and I need to remember that. He is a happy kid most of the time. He has his creature comforts, like we all do, and beyond all of that, he is extremely loved.
So pray for me, and pray for him. And pray for his leaders that will be there with him :)
Love yall
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