Compromise

Taking a short break from my series on More About My Son. As I work with him and watch, listen, and participate in his therapy sessions I often hear or even say the following phrases a lot:
"Let's do this first first, and then that"
"Finish this, and then..."
"After we do this, then..."
"How about ______, then ______"
"Today we do this and maybe tomorrow we can _____"
ohhh so many variations of the above.

But, we all know the concept is the same... In order for us to get him do perform a pre-determined task we make the compromise. Sometimes, I wonder if his patience is even so much greater than mine. What he wants, whether it be a toy, or time to play with a specific toy, or visit a specific place, is most alway second in every deal. People call it bribing, positive reinforcement, compromise, or who knows everyone's terms for it. I know why I do it, because it works, hopefully at least most of the time... But sometimes it makes me wonder in awe, at how he must feel always having to do what someone else wants before he gets what he wants. And while he has his meltdowns here and there... when I step back and think of the number of times THE deal is made, the number of meltdowns is actually quite small.

While I might continue this train of thought more in the future, his home therapy is over the day and it is my favorite time... daddy time!

Keep smiling everyone.