Since both boys have ADHD (well, elder isn't diagnosed, yet, but if he doesn't have it, I'll eat an opossum), one of the "fun" things I keep running into is their inability to get rid of anything.
Apparently, hoarding and ADHD is a thing. (Who knew? Not I.)
So the fight of cleaning rooms is ongoing and terrible, because they have all the scraps and broken things making messes, but they are unwilling or unable to just let them go.
We finally reached the tipping point with youngest (and we are getting there with eldest, I just have to gird my mental loins a bit because I know I'm going to get attitude) and I cleaned his room for him. And the next step is for me to grab allllll the bins out of his room and sort them. I will get rid of random McDonald's toys and scraps of paper and broken things. I will sort things by type. And then he will be given access to a fraction of them at a time.
I feel like I should add that this is something I've been lobbying for for years. But hubby insists that they can handle it. Or they should be involved in the process because they need to learn how. And while, sure, okay, for a neurotypical kid maybe? (But even then honestly I hesitate.) But for ours? That way lies madness.
As we have now seen for long enough that he grudgingly agrees.
Victory! Heh.
I know it's not going to go over with celebrations and cheers, but also? I don't care at this point. All the clutter in his room is hard for him, whether or not he recognizes it.
And elder boy is on notice that if he can't do it himself (he's been given tips and a step-by-step plan for how to accomplish it), then I'm going to help.
I am thankful for several things in the face of this though:
1. They are older and aren't getting a quantity for Christmas, because they have expensive taste
2. Their interests have narrowed, so there really isn't as big a need for a broad spectrum of things.
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