We got haircuts today to kick things off. Now, it's not nearly as bad as it used to be, but Truman is still not a huge fan of getting a haircut. Haircuts and fingernail trimmings are his nemesis, and we still have to practically play Let's Make a Deal with him in order to cut his Howard Hughes length finger and toenails. When he was really little I had to literally hold him down for haircuts and fingernails. It was like we were trying to cut his head off and not his hair. Then for a couple of years I made the terrible mistake of trying to take him to cheap in and out places like Supercuts. No one ever understood why this kid refused to sit in the chair or if he would sit in the chair, refused to sit on the platform that they have for kids to raise them up higher. Or if he would do that, why he wouldn't put the drape on, or let them touch his ears or let them use clippers. And there was always the possibility that the whole thing would become too much and he would have a meltdown right there. That's why I wised up and now take him only to our friend Sam, who knows Truman in all his idiosyncratic glory and obliges and doesn't bat an eyelash when he asks for a bag so that he can make sure to collect all of his own hair that gets cut and take it home with us. He loves her so much that he will let her get away with a curse word periodically (she's a very creative and prolific curser) and only makes faces when she gets near his ears instead of screaming. That's progress, friends.
With haircuts a success, we hit Toys r Us to buy the best slip n slide we could find for a little afternoon hose fun. I'm trying my hardest this summer to make sure that he has some help navigating neighborhood relationships in the group of kids that runs around here. And it is an awesome group of kids. All ages, couldn't be better with each other or sweeter or more helpful with one another... it's really optimal for a guy like him to begin to learn how to work in a group of kids unassisted. He did a wonderful job. Everyone else was obsessed with getting the hose and spraying one another and running around like banshees. But Truman took on the role of making sure that the water jets sprayed directly on the slip and slide for optimum slide-y-ness. He took a couple of turns on the slip and slide itself, but really, the angle of the water jets was the most important thing. He even stayed 30 minutes without me.
Hey, as long as he thinks it's fun and it's not a video game, it's all good with me.
Ah yes, haircuts, nail clipping and baths used to be quite a challenge! He gets his haircut now with a really nice and patient (and pretty) lady who owns her own little shop by herself. That makes it more quiet and without all those random noises of hairdryers and unnecessary chit chat!
ReplyDeleteNail clipping used to be done by Grandma and Dad in tandem. I think he hated the sound of the click. Now, he just bites his nails, so that solves that.
Hmmmm..... it's still a challenge to convince him that he needs a shower, but it gets done. He told me years later that he was afraid that he would go down the drain.
He would NEVER go do a slip-n-slide, so I guess I've given up on that now. He'll go swim with me, but googles that also cover the nose are still necessary. Basically, I drew the line and made him learn to swim. I had to find a very, very nice lady to help with that. He's still not a fan, but he'll do it.
He didn't learn to tie his shoes until 6th grade, but he made his way. We just bought slip on shoes before then. He just got so angry every time he tried to learn how. But, he knows now.
Each one of these milestones seems to take longer and with more of a challenge. But, in the end, once you learn how to tie your shoe, you know it. Once you learn to swim, you've got it. So, all these things gradually add up over the years to form a functional and whole person. It just takes more to get there.
30 minutes outside with the other kids alone? AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Alden has trouble with "trimmings" as well. It's awesome you've found someone that can be considerate of what Truman wants while getting his haircut!
ReplyDelete