I know I've had the pleasure of being connected with more than one parent of a kiddo with "extra 21" as some have put it, but I wonder if I'm doing this as a way to network or just some personal catharsis. It's just been something on my mind. Could just be the weather getting to me or simply the crazy last few weeks I've had.
We went home in April to compete in the worlds largest Trivia Contest, as I mentioned in my last post. That crazy schedule, lack of sleep, lack of ROUTINE, and we hit a snag with Kaelyn's behavior the last week or so. Even spilled into her classroom and she ended up needing to get PICKED UP from school as she flat out REFUSED to get on the bus. What could have make our usually perky and compliant little munchkin such a crankerpotamus? (yes we use that word quite a bit). As it turns out, it was her birthday gift. The kids Kindle, filled to the brim with educational stuff. She would get VERY upset when the battery would need to be charged. She would get very upset if she couldn't match the letter or get the app to work properly. I did a quick google search and found something that MIGHT be the answer to our problem with her 'tude. I simply typed in "screen time making kids crabby" and it the page at the top was an article from psychology today. The hubby and I decided to take away her tablet, and sisters too. If Kaelyn got a hold of Aria's learning device (Kaelyn's old one) what good would it serve? She'd still get screen time! So we took them both away friday and they went all weekend with nothing more than sending some funny snaps to their aunts and uncles. It was only a hunch but it was worth a try, right? So we went to bed Sunday night and HOPED that maybe it would result in a POSITIVE change in her teachers note and that would make her an overall better behaved monster. And guess what? IT WORKED! They had to redirect her attitude a few times, but she ate her snack, she transitioned well, and she got on the bus! (last Tuesday was really the only issue. But let me tell you, I was holding my breath after school on Thursday as I didn't want to have to drag Aria out again to go get her! I'm so glad that we've gotten to the bottom of the problem. We're going to SEVERELY limit screen time to weekends and road trips. Maybe we can integrate some after school time as a reward but that will be a long time coming.
In other news, the girls have really taken to bike riding. Last year (or was it the year before?) we got Kaelyn a little mermaid bike with training wheels. The red radio flyer trike was too small and it was time she upgraded. What we FAILED to take into consideration was that she is ALL TORSO. We got a bike too big for her little legs, so I managed to score a smaller bike a few weeks ago and BAM! She rides so well! She has speed and confidence. This also allows Aria to get in some time on the little trike and learn some gross motor skills and coordination! It's been an overall emotionally draining couple of weeks. Couple that with today (the 2nd of May) being the 5 year anniversary of my Papa passing away, and I'm just a candy coated ball of feelings. It's nothing some quiet contemplation and prayer wont fix. And some snuggles from a SUPER sweet pair of beauties won't hurt either!
Have a great day and hug your kids. Even when they drive you crazy, they are your heart and soul!
Take care and Much love,
One crazy and tired momma
We are just beginning our lives with a beautiful daughter who was recently diagnosed with Partial Trisomy 21. Its not common, infact its pretty rare from what we were told, so we have NO Idea what the future holds for us. Hang on for the ride of our lives!
