For the first time, Aiden has a friend asking him to come over and play. I'm both terrified and excited for him! Just met the boy's parents...wouldn't that be great if he had a special friend? Everyone needs one!
So, we have new neighbors, and they have a 7 1/2 year old (1st grade). He is very outgoing, and we met him at the park across the street. The boys enjoyed playing with him. I asked Aiden what his name was, he asked the boy, and came back to me saying, "his name is Jace." Shock. What a moment for Aiden! A "normal" conversation with a boy his age! After that afternoon, I decided to introduce myself to his parents. I boldly knocked on the door and introduced myself. First and foremost, I wanted to know who my son was going to be interacting with, and second, I wanted them to know that Aiden is not a "neurotypical" 6 year old boy. Aiden still has accidents, obsesses over stuffed animals, and has a difficult time forming appropriate sentences. He certainly isn't going to the park or crossing the street by himself, or riding a bike without training wheels (like Jace).
After that day, I realized that my children are growing up. Aiden is my first child. I have no idea what is "normal" for children his age. When are they safe to do things on their own? 7 1/2 seems too young, even for a neurotypical child like Jace. When are they supposed to ride a bike without training wheels? Tie shoes? Pump their feet on a swing? Oh man, this is both exciting and scary for me. I'm not ready to let Aiden be unsupervised while he plays with a friend.
Jace has come over to play twice. I'm very grateful they stayed here so I could keep an eye on them. Jace is a very aggressive boy. He takes Aiden's favorite stuffed animal and runs away to get Aiden to play chase. Aiden loves chase. He doesn't love it when someone takes his comfort toy. In fact, the therapists have been working on "big vs. little problems". What if you lose your toy or someone takes it away Aiden? Is that a big problem or a little problem? For a long time, it was a BIG problem (check out the blog on gloves and you'll know what I mean). Aiden is getting better at this, but still struggles at times. Jace means no harm--he just wants to be chased, but in Aiden's eyes, his "friend" just took his gold medal away!
This is a new experience for me as a parent. Do I let go or hold on tight? I don't want to hold Aiden back because he has autism, but I do want to keep him safe. Will I let Aiden go to this boy's home? Probably not. Not yet anyway. Aiden can't cross the street safely, and Jace comes and goes as he pleases. I'm scared, but I also know that my baby is growing up. I need to let go sooner or later...
Time to get a "big boy" bike out! This is the first time he rode it--Spring 2014. He probably could have done this last Spring, but that was the last thing I was thinking about! He wasn't even talking last Spring! Dad had to help him at first, but he gained confidence quickly, and did it himself for the rest of the walk! The training wheels will have to stay on for awhile. Now we have to get training wheels for Austin's mini bike, so he can practice too! I can't believe Austin is 4 1/2!
