Dog

We're looking for a dog.

Beaver's anxiety has subsided a bit. He is sleeping again. He takes his time falling asleep, but at least he does it, and doesn't wake up endlessly. But we have a long way to go yet.

One of the anxiety solutions that crops up again and again is the idea of getting a dog. You know, a boy and his best mate, and all that.

The benefits of owning a dog are well known. And there is a reason people train companion dogs for people with a disability. There is no doubt that Beaver would benefit from having a dog. And there is no doubt our pet cockatiel Charlie would benefit from us having a dog. Currently, Beaver treats her like one, and Charlie's not always too impressed with being hugged and kissed and cuddled.

There is one major issue we faced though. All my life, I have been allergic to all furry creatures. Dogs. Cats. Horses. Even mice. All my life I have wanted a dog. But I only ever had birds, since they were the only safe animal for me (well, not counting a goldfish, but how boring are they?).

Well, guess what?

I've had hypnotherapy for my dog allergy.

And it's gone.

Let me just say that again.

It's gone. Gone!

I went to the vet yesterday. Normally I snivel and sneeze within seconds of walking in. I sat there for about half and hour while the vet examined (and euthanised) a little ringtail possum with a spinal injury. I talked to the man sitting next to me with his injured cat. I patted the cat. I patted two big Labradors who walked in. Nothing. Then I touched my face with my unwashed hands. Nothing.

You can not imagine how exited I was walking out of that vet yesterday.

So. We are going to buy a dog.

The big question is, which one.

I like the idea of a Golden Retriever. They are beautiful dogs, known as very obedient and excellent family pets. They were bred to retrieve ducks etc. shot after hunting, and so if they pick up other animals, they do so gently. They like to swim. And although they have long hair, they shed relatively little - less so than a short-haired Labrador.

But they are expensive, and older dogs are hard to get (I don't really want to do the puppy thing if I can avoid it!). And they may need a fenced garden.

I also like the idea of a rescue dog. You know, giving a dog another chance at a good life. They are way cheaper. And they are older and you know the animal's temperament. Problem here though is two-fold. There are mainly smaller dogs and most of them are what I - surely unfairly but still that's how I feel about them - walking barking toilet brushes. Or oversized rats. And of course some of them have had a rough life, and I'm not sure they would be OK in our already busy family life.

I have e-mailed some retriever breeders and kennels to see if any of them have older dogs for sale. Of course I thought about the companion dog thing - but the waiting list for one of them is about two years and I don't fancy waiting that long... Also, we can afford to buy our own dog, so it would feel wrong to take one of those very special dogs.

We might end up with a rescue dog we fall in love with (we're planning to go and have a look later this week). Or we might end up with a little puppy after all.

Part of me is really excited to finally have a dog. Part of me thinks "Gosh, do we really need another creature in this mad household?" But there is no doubt that all three the children would greatly benefit from having a dog, and hubby would have a companion to take on his early morning walks.

The things we do for our kids eh?

And a Post Script for Oma Helma: Ja, het werkt echt. Als we inderdaad een hond kopen betalen WIJ voor jou hypnotherapie om van jou allergie van af te geraken. Hier of in Belgie, dat is eender. En ook voor Tante Anita als dat nodig is. Het werkt echt hoor, net zoals stoppen met roken...

Wii Kids

We bought a Wii.

We have studiously avoided buying any of these game things before (whatever they were called, Game Boys, XBox whathaveyou). I figure kids nowadays need less time sitting in front of the TV than more. But the Wii is different.

It has been used in rehabilitation and as a physiotherapy tool. Unlike with other games, you hold a remote which picks up on your movement and translates that into the movement on the screen. So it's far more active.

To give you an idea, here is Beaver boxing (with a remote in each hand). And you know what? He was pretty good too. Very fancy footwork. And a mean right hook punch.


Possum is more a golf player, and also surprisingly good at the game, given he's never even seen a game of golf played. He also likes the car racing games, of course. W

And Boo Boo? She loves them all. You should see her "boxing" her little arms around like a mad woman. It's a sight to see...

Transformer

I don't know what's going on with that boy at all at the moment.

After the big sleeping showdown, we've had a bit of a turn-around.

On Tuesday, Possum had a playdate with one of his classmates. I intended to drop him off, then take the other two kids to release a Blue Tongue Lizard, go to a cafe for lunch, possibly shop a bit, and then pick up Possum. As it turns out, there was another classmate, and his mum was there, so we all ended up chatting. Later another mum joined the group. And we mothers, we chatted. And the kids played.

Now if you know Beaver a bit, you know how amazing those last two sentences are.

You see, normally Beaver sits with me and the mums. He joins in with our chats. Tries to steer the conversation towards one of his favorite subjects of the moment.

But no. Beaver was playing with the other kids. For two hours, I did not see that boy once. Then he came to ask where the toilet was, and off he was again. He played with the other kids. The other boys. He played with transformers! And bionicles!

As if that is not a miracle in itself, he told me when we got home that he was now going to play with boys toys, and wants a bionicle for his Christmas. And he gave his handbag away to his brother. Can you believe that? His handbag!

He told me he's still into boots and lipstick, but also transformers and cars and bionicles. He still likes girl things, but he now also likes boy things. Ok.

And it gets more amazing.

He's sleeping!

That night after the big showdown, he slept straight through. After a big chiropractic reflexes adjustment (thank you Mel! And it was lovely to see you!!) he slept through again. And all the other nights, he's been up once, done a wee, and came to Dad to take him back to bed. And promptly went to sleep again.

Mind you, during the day he's a handful. Pestering the birds. Pestering his brother. Pestering me. That boy, he's full of testosterone at the moment. I wonder if it's that that makes him play with the boys and sleep a tired sleep afterwards.

In any case, it's an interesting and not unwelcome change!

That boy, he never stops amazing us, one way or the other...

3:18

Earlier this week I'd had enough.

I told Beaver that, after two and a half months, I would go back to sleeping in my own bed. He wasn't happy, but a kind of compromise was reached that he could sleep with Charlie the bird in his room. For a few nights he went to bed ok, although as soon as he would wake up in the night, generally between 12 and 2, he'd come over and end up sleeping the rest of the night on the sofa.

Last night I said:

- No more sleeping on the sofa. You want to be a big boy, you sleep in your bed like a big boy.

Big boy said:

- No.

He didn't like that.

So we got him to sit on the living room coffee table. Not in the comfy chair or on the sofa. No, sitting in the most uncomfortable spot. He still listens and stayed there. While we were lying in the bed, waiting for him to fall off the table asleep. And waited.

Let me just say my son is more stubborn than me.

At about two o'clock in the night, I couldn't take it any more and ended up a blubbering heap sitting on the kitchen floor bawling my eyes out. I have to admit, I am exhausted, and I am at my wits end. All I can conclude is that I am not very good at this parenting business. Bummer it's too late for a career change. Hubby heard me of course and coaxed me back to bed with a stack of tissues.

Back to the waiting.

At 3:18 Beaver came into our bedroom.

- I am ready to go to my bed now Daddy.

So hubby took him. And we all went to sleep. Until 6:30 that morning, when Beaver was up again, bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to start the day.

Oh my!

Standing Up

We went to softplay today - I needed some stuff from the Mall, and it was a rainy sort of a day. The boys like softplay very much, and Boo Boo mostly enjoys the ballpit.

We all climbed up to the top level and gathered in front of a suspended tunnel. Possum was contemplating crawling through but wasn't entirely sure.

Suddenly two kids came from around the corner.

- We are lions, and we're not letting anyone in they shouted. To which Beaver replied

- Nonsense. We are tigers, and we're coming in.

Hearing the word tigers, Boo Boo roared, and we all chimed in. The kids looked stunned. Then Beaver climbed in. And the kids ran away.

I was shocked.

I think this is the first time I have known Beaver to stand up to strange kids, let alone strange kids that challenged him. I just couldn't believe it!

And then another amazing thing happened. My two boys - who normally would happily murder each other - ganged up against those two kids, and spend the remaining time chasing them, and being chased by them. A united sibling front. Just when I thought it would never be possible.

In the end, the little girl threw Beaver a final challenge on her way out.

- I'm four you know, she said.

- Yeah well, I'm eight replied Beaver. And then went for the final kill to the crestfallen girl

- And we're still playing, and you are out and going home, ha ha.

My son the bully! Just being a pesky little boy to some other kids. And staning up for himself. Can you believe it?

Holiday

It's hot. About 32 degrees.

The pool is warm. We have new swimmers and rashies, ready for the season.

There are mangoes and strawberries in the fridge, and icy poles in the freezer.

We bought a large box of sunscreen and pulled the hats out of the drawer.

The Christmas shopping is done (only wrapping left).

And most importantly, school's out.

7 long weeks of Summer Holdiay!

The kids need it...

Mum will survive it...

Anxiety

Beaver is in the middle of a serious bout of anxiety attacks. He's struggling with his difference, and is still not convinced it's not his fault. He's not a happy boy, and his behaviour reflects his inner turmoil.

Here is what he says:

- I hate my life
- I am a bad person
- I don't like people talking about me and my CP
- I hate myself
- I feel sorry for my mum and dad, that they had to have me.

Well, what the hell do you say to that!?

He's to anxious about bad dreams to go to sleep - I have slept in his room since October now. He's obsessed about being late. And he's obsessed about what happens next. As in, he wakes up in the morning, and ask ten times "what's for dinner?"

We knew this was coming. But we were kind of expecting it in his teens.

On Monday we took him to a psychologist at the Macquarie University Anxiety Clinic. Thankfully he loved the opportunity to talk to Doctor Zoya and is happy to go back next week and the week after. And the summer holidays start tomorrow.

I hope this helps. God, I hope this helps.