ode to routines

The mention fo routines and systems can make some people cringe. However, in our family they have an important place. I often comment about my eldest son and his need, desire and comfort in routine. He follows direction well and is a very systematic child. Every moring, before he opens the door from his bedroom, he is dressed, be it uniform for school or sweats for casual play, backpack and sweatshirt in hand and then he emerges ready for the day. This is his daily routine, and it is constant and predictable.. Similarly to the routine for his backpack and coat being put in the same spot every morning, and him pulling Legos to play, or his Bionicles. This is Jayden's daily morning ritual, all of this is part of his own system created by him, and followed rigidly by him, changing this routine can create much discomfort. Therefore,when we began our move, several weeks ago we tried hard to keep this routine as well as others in tacked. Predictablilty for children is one part of them feeling secure and during this time that is uprooted. As the time sped up and the pressure was on to move we became more and more frantic and the environemnt became so chaotic his simple routine was often not possible. Boxes all over the house, his clothing in various places, no real bedroom to speak of and of course the boys at playdates and with family and friends so that Mark and I can get last minute packing and moving completed. SO in these last two weeks he has been more flexible than usual and a trooper, for a child that needs systems and routines. Though his flexibility has come with emotional breakdowns, displaced energy and emotions he has "gone with it" as best as he can. The packing is done and we are finally a central location amongst our mounds of boxes and furnishings and personal items in complete disarray. Ode to routine comes today.. approximately 6:30 am I hear a very familiar quiet set of footprints in the hallway, as I lay awake watching to not startle the boy that is awake. I hear, a dresser open, and then a dragging sound on the floor. I turn to the doorway and there emerges Jayden fully dressed for the day, and now playing quietly with his Lego's. Despite this chaos he has found a way to gain a routine and some comfort...... Ode to routine! It has made a place in our home and finds comfort with Jayden.

the logic of an 8 year old boy

This blog is based on my seconhand knowledge.. yet still quite interesting.. a day in our life I working my husband volunteering and our good friend taking on the fun all three at a time... She embarks on a great adventure of what most would call a play date.. her 5 year old son and our 3 three bouncing baby boys. While in the midst of glory she gets to explore the logic of my eldest son.. Jayden age 8. A typical battle or wrestling match is about to begin and ..... as the boys begin to discuss their plots against each other and how to divide teams and what not, it becomes clear in this discussion that perhaps the teams are in need of comparison of might! Declan -3 and Jayden -8 team A and Kyan -5 and Sean -5 Team B. During their exchange Jayden has the ruling why his team is better.... The logic? add the ages.. and from his mouth "8 and 3 is 11 your team 5 and 5 is 10. The answer... drum roll "11 is more than 10 so we have more power we win!" Simple ..... in battle, add your ages and the bigger number wins... DUH!