Fighting for Answers | Category Archives: Mental Health | Page 15Mental Health Archives - Page 15 of 132

I am bored and this is fun.

Today, I had the rare opportunity to have a frank talk with David. We talked about everything from sunshine to cats. We talked about his favorite movie, Heaven is for Real. We talked about dogs, rain, basketball (though I am by no means knowledgeable) and we talked behaviors. We talked about how he likes being at home. When asked about being home, David candidly stated “I don’t think I am a home person, I don’t do very well here.” I asked him if he thought a facility would be better, and he stated “I don’t like facilities because I can’t get my permit at 14.” So we talked about behaviors and driving permits. I explained that sometimes, behaviors limit the extracurricular activities that we enjoy. He understands that. I gradually turned the conversation back to behaviors. I asked one very telling question, not expecting a response. “Why do you do

every day. a struggle

I am exhausted. Mentally. he will push until I respond. when I refuse to acknowledge him, he pushes harder. When I snap and yell at him, he is happy. Then he says, why are you yelling? You shouldn’t yell like that dad, it’s not healthy. So I tell him to sit and eat. No. Not hungry. So I go to put his dishes in the sink, so I can wash them, since I am doing dishes anyway. Now he is hungry. If I move in any direction where he might be, he acts as if I am going to chase him. If I am close to him, he acts like I am going to hit him. You would think, I beat him severely. I don’t. Quite frankly, I don’t think that it would make any difference if I did. It’s sad, I sit here with my headphones on, music on.

some lessons need to be learned…

Some lessons need to be learned the hard way I guess. At breakfast David was in his usual mood. I always get irritated when the he puts an empty cereal container back in the cupboard. I told him that it bugs me. “But dad, there is cereal still in there!” he said. So I shook the container. There was cereal alright. Four or five pieces. “That reminds me, another boy bought me a sausage and egg sandwich yesterday morning for breakfast. I’ll have to eat that on the way to school.” David stated. I replied, “no, that is not a good idea, and you will get sick.” David argues, “But dad, it was still wrapped.” So mom and I both explained about food poisoning. I don’t think he listened. As I signed his daily report card, with him watching, we again extolled the concept that food, wrapped or not, that