Today he is sweet sixteen. The "sweet" is an interesting adjective because he has been quite sweet this morning! As we are sending him paintballing with a few friends that is his main present, though now have negotiated postponing until the weather is just not so freezing or wet. Disappointing stuff when he wants everything and he wants it now. But if we spent all that money and it was just a disaster from beginning to end it would be a waste. With that backdrop trying to salvage something of his sixteenth was a challenge. A couple of days ago I was near one of those outlet centres where the prices were still not special enough, but a sports shop had some great deals on clothes and for once I have chosen him a hoody and two tee shirts that he seemed genuinely pleased with, and then travelled round finding a store that sold zippo lighters. He had wanted one for his birthday, and although we had categorically said no, I knew he only wanted it to flick and light and he was neither into smoking or arson.
It was a huge measure of how much we trusted him after all, and I think he was pretty wrapped up with his little gifts. For me, with the difficult relationship I had with him since his drinking episode last summer, it was like a small wooden bridge had been created which he and I could both begin to make tentative steps across to the other. Feeling brave I launched into voicing an idea that involved him selling his Xbox and us putting the extra money towards either a customised skateboard or a BMX bike, and paying for him to go to one of the big skate parks once a month. Once I had clarified his paintball outing was safe and nothing to do with this, he actually embraced the idea. We'll talk some more about it when he comes home tonight, and has his chosen Chinese takeaway for his birthday dinner. He has gone off to school smiling and with a spring in his step. Gosh. My baby is growing up. And me too.
Recent times have shown me as starting projects or activities with all the gusto necessary, theorised and explained as being right, and then melting away into another good idea. So that is a huge fear sitting there as to whether this is the same. Only time will show. Meanwhile I am doing things that I am feeling confident about to some extent, with only more practise needed. I am soaking up information and retaining it very easily, and generally everything is flowing so easily. That has to be a good sign.
Talking of travelling, I have some very exciting weeks ahead as I am honoured that I have been asked to accompany a dear girlfriend of mine to another country where she will have some important facial surgery. It will be another of life's adventures to be there for her through this time. On the flip side, I will not have been away from my darling Mr Doris for this long before so that will be an effort and a half but should make the reunion more special.
Hopefully your son will find some less objectionable friends but I'm sure he'll soon get back into the swing of "the school thing" but don't sweat the small stuff - I was always getting pulled up for "shirt not tucked in" as well as "top button not done up".
*hugs*
Choccie?
I hear the sound of English teachers spinnig in their graves.
About the teachers, I love the idea of these bat caped English teachers with cobwebs hanging from their peaked hats as they "spinnig (sic) in their graves". LOL that right cheered me up :-)
But you know, it is not the small stuff I am worrying about - I'd have thought that in the first he'd have been trying hard to do the right thing by the school. But I live in a world of my own making that doesn't exist. I am more worried about the road dangers.
Still, things are better with him today. It has to get better.
should read
"I'd have thought that in the first week he'd have been trying hard"
Tch. More spinnig dost thou teachers do-est ;-)
You poor thing - horrible and worrying to witness all that and feel unable to do anything about it.
You can but hope that everything you've put into your son to date will shine through and he'll find his way through this and make friends who are less intent on needing to prove themselves.
I do hope the dark clouds pass soon and light floods into your life.
Can I send over some sinful Turkish Delight ice-cream - discovered it today, thought I'd died and gone to heaven. (Such a pity I'm dairy intolerant!)
I must be on the mend otherwise I'd not have managed that post yesterday and then after that, actually had a once in a rare blue moon good evening as son worked with me to make dinner (the conversation and the learning of culinary skills was good) and daughter was more communicative at dinner, quite jolly really, and helped clear up afterwards.
Did you know Atyllah that I have a thing for Turkish Delight? And now there is an ice cream!!! OK - must seek it out!
I am concerned about my son's friends and will keep an eye out for which way he goes. My son is a nice kid with a really lovely nature which I hope he can keep some of that for his adult self rather than this testosterone charged aggressive teen.
I know, I get days like that too, it feels like a weight is sitting there in your stomach, and nothing will shift it. It can hit you for no apparent reason sometimes too.
If it gives you any hope, I survived high school, despite being a near alcoholic in my teens, I did survive, and life is good. Mostly. If I can get through that in one piece, I'm sure your son can!!
Let it out though, don't sit on all that emotion. A pillow over the face will cover up most screams.
Good for you, climbing the fence.. lol
Take care xx
And your wonderful, wonderful Mr.Doris...he's a gem.
Bless you, friend.