After the planting/garden session, we all went for a walk, headed into town and then down by the river. We wandered through The Railway Land reserve - it was a beautiful day to be down there and we had a mini picnic on the river bank, talked about footprints in the mud, boats, tides. Walked back into town along the river, noticing the change in it where it went over the rocks. Then a bit of shopping, including browsing in the big pet shop, discussing what we would need when we have kittens. Bought some tempeh and vegan chocolate, among other things.
At some point later on, F got angry with us both (for reminding her, in Woolworths, that the last time she bought a £2 playset she had been really disappointed - she saw another one she fancied and didn't want to be told) - amazingly, instead of having one of her public hoo-has, with full-volume wailing and screaming, she went quiet, then explained to us quite articulately, in Pizza Express, how she felt and why she had got angry. This was a real step forward for her, she kind of worked through how she felt, much more clearly, with real communication. And when we came out of Pizza Express, she had got over it and told us both she loved us, with big hugs.
Had another good conversation with her earlier, about trying to deal with things as they are instead of wishing they were different. She really seemed to be trying to take it on board - here's hoping! Often her major meltdowns are due to something going differently to how she has visualized or planned, in great detail, and she doesn't cope at all well with readjusting to those kinds of change. I gave her some examples of people who probably could spend all day every day wailing 'it's not fair!' etc. justifiably, but they don't - they get on and deal with what they have got. I think at least some of it started to go in, we'll see.
What else? Oh, she designed a flag in Animal Crossing - showed me - it was the Union Jack. And she had a good go at spelling it to name it too before asking for J's help in the end. Also she is laying down some kind of tiles outside to make paths.
Forgot to mention, F did loads of painting at my mum's too, especially enjoying using a small roller and tons of paint!
At some point later on, F got angry with us both (for reminding her, in Woolworths, that the last time she bought a £2 playset she had been really disappointed - she saw another one she fancied and didn't want to be told) - amazingly, instead of having one of her public hoo-has, with full-volume wailing and screaming, she went quiet, then explained to us quite articulately, in Pizza Express, how she felt and why she had got angry. This was a real step forward for her, she kind of worked through how she felt, much more clearly, with real communication. And when we came out of Pizza Express, she had got over it and told us both she loved us, with big hugs.
Had another good conversation with her earlier, about trying to deal with things as they are instead of wishing they were different. She really seemed to be trying to take it on board - here's hoping! Often her major meltdowns are due to something going differently to how she has visualized or planned, in great detail, and she doesn't cope at all well with readjusting to those kinds of change. I gave her some examples of people who probably could spend all day every day wailing 'it's not fair!' etc. justifiably, but they don't - they get on and deal with what they have got. I think at least some of it started to go in, we'll see.
What else? Oh, she designed a flag in Animal Crossing - showed me - it was the Union Jack. And she had a good go at spelling it to name it too before asking for J's help in the end. Also she is laying down some kind of tiles outside to make paths.
Forgot to mention, F did loads of painting at my mum's too, especially enjoying using a small roller and tons of paint!
4 comments:
Have just been looking at your flickr and admiring painting and river walk pics - all looked great :).
And well done to F for the leap forward in dealing with stuff, all sounds very positive :).
I imagine we're in for a few steps back between the steps forward but it was good to see.
Woah, loads of canvases there behind F - are they your mum's?
Sorry I missed your comment Alison, but yes, in case you pop back, they are!
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