Comments on: Friendly Sophie

By: maya

maya — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:34:43 +0000

Gosh that is SO true, the part about them not having an in between mood. I had never been able to put my finger on it but it’s really the case. I wonder why that is. Why does this seem so sad to me?

And your description of the kids at Safeway? Heartbreaking. As much as I don’t want Leo shaking his but at 21, it kills me a little to think of someone sucking all the joie de vivre out of him. I know he has to “behave,” and all, but I hope that joy sucking out thing never happens. It’s part of what makes them who they are. But not so cute on the grownups I guess.

OK forgive me if this is too corny but do you know what song runs through my head constantly, about Leo? Often when he does something that drives me bonkers (and we KNOW that happens daily, multiple times)–The one from Sound of Music-”How do you solve a problem like Maria”–How do you solve a problem like Leo? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? Not to say that Leo is a problem, of course, but certainly a challenge. The things he does are so perplexing, endearing, aggravating, fill-in-the-blank. But they are also what make him who he is and we all know I wouldn’t have it any other way.
BIYB/BOYB. Again. Sorry.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:02:45 +0000

Oh, man, do I ever know what you mean. It’s almost like all of the things I find funny and charming and adorable about Evan at home tend to be slightly embarrassing out in public. I find this to be more and more true the older he gets. He generally gets pretty favorable reactions now, but I know as he gets farther away from being a cute toddler or preschooler, the more awkward people are going to be around him.

People expect small children to be nosy and friendly and have funny speech. It’s part of the little kid vibe. They don’t dig it so much on older kids. Or on grouchy sullen teenagers, no matter HOW many chromosomes they have.

By: starrlife

starrlife — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:29:41 +0000

Well, I kind of know what you mean. Kayli is very friendly and used to be rather indiscriminating when she was younger. We’ve worked at helping her be more discriminating, as probably everyone is with all friendly kids- no hugs to strangers, learn the art of taking turns in conversation, hands to self. These are the cornerstones of respecting others. She is still warm, but shakes hands with others who she doesn’t know and as she matures she is more shy ( but not flat). I love all irrepressible kids that just bubble over and find that not restricted to DS. DS kids may take a bit longer to absorb social lessons though? We also used social “scripts” which are great ways of building social skills . I try to be sensitive to not extinguishing her naturally sunny personality- she is so rarely sad, takes a lot in stride so that if she is sad I really pay attention. Sophie is still so young, lots of time to figure out that the world is not a loveable as she is. I find it hard since I am a self conscious person and I don’t want her to be as self conscious as I am. It is complicated but also really simple. Virtual Hug.
PS- she can come ask me as many times as she wants. Kayli would love her!