Understanding the Weekly Struggles

Every week brings its own set of challenges, and for us, an "upper night" is almost a given. When the sleeplessness comes without an added attitude, I can cope much better than when Owen's preteen mood swings kick in, turning the house upside down with light switches and occasional screams. When I suggested to Owen that he should return to bed without his tablet if he wanted to go to the pool later, he was not pleased, which set the tone for the rest of our day.

Sleep is something I deeply yearn for yet find elusive. It's intriguing how my inability to sleep often doesn't align with others' schedules. Owen, in particular, had his heart set on heading to the pool around two or three in the morning, which he kept insisting on. This wasn't a negotiable issue for him. I tried to explain that the pool wouldn't be open at that hour and that his behavior would ultimately determine whether we could go when it was.

If his actions remained disruptive, he needed to understand that there would be consequences. I assured him we would attend therapy, but aside from that, we were staying home.

His desire to bring his best friend to therapy is a recurring topic. Explaining to him that I can't just arrange this is challenging. I'm optimistic that over the summer, we can engage in more activities with his friend.

Every break is a struggle. Today was particularly emotional, and I fought back tears. Our day lacked calmness, and his repetitive behaviors made it difficult. He was also anxious about when he would return to school, which wasn't helped by his sleeplessness.

Later, I received a call from Owen's program. It was tough; they specifically wanted to speak with him. I had to explain that he doesn't handle phone calls well. He has only held the phone to his ear a handful of times, and it often leads to overwhelming emotions and meltdowns. FaceTime has been even trickier for him, but I can see he's starting to manage it better now.

Afterwards, at his appointment, Owen wanted to see his therapist first, not the doctor. Despite my repeated assurances that he would see the doctor first, he became upset. When we entered the doctor's room, he started to melt down, but he quickly settled down upon seeing the doctor. It was a challenging experience for him, but he was thrilled to see his therapist afterwards, which helped the appointment proceed smoothly.

On our way back home, his behaviors in the car resurfaced. I tried to be patient, but I reminded him that if he didn't sleep tonight and continued with his disruptive behavior, the pool would be off-limits tomorrow. He insisted he wanted to go, yet his attitude during bedtime made it difficult. At first, he refused to go to bed. I am trying to navigate his actions without letting every little thing interfere with his opportunities, yet I feel it’s essential to address his behavior before he enters his teenage years.

I find myself yearning for sleep—not just for me, but for Owen as well. Each night, I remind him of how amazing he is and that I love him. I want him to hear uplifting words before he drifts off. We had a brief period today where he sat with me, chatting while playing on his tablet. These moments fill my heart with hope. It's vital to find joy in the little things and remember that you are incredible. Sending smiles and positivity to everyone!

In this scene from "Street Fighter" (1994), we see an iconic moment that resonates with the ups and downs of family dynamics.

This video highlights the phrase "It was Tuesday" from "Street Fighter" (1994), capturing the essence of unexpected moments in our daily lives.

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