Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Slumber Surveillance

Have you ever woken up with a shadow in your dark doorway?  Have you ever woken up with a person standing above you, watching and waiting?  Well, I have, numerous times!  Scary?  No kidding!

Austin, has, in the past, stood in my doorway in the middle of the night until I stirred and woke up to see him standing there.  I have woken up with him standing above me, watching me sleep!  It is so frightening!  I have asked him why does he do it?  He said, he needs something and does not want to disturb my sleep.  He thinks I may be upset for him waking me in the middle of the night.  I have told him over and over, if he needs something to just wake me up, do not stand over me and watch me sleep, it freaks me out!  He does not see it the same way, he thinks he is being patient and that is a good thing, not in this case.

There is good news, or an improvement, I finally got Austin to stop doing this in the last few months.  Now, he pokes at me until I wake.  The other day, I feel asleep on the couch watching a show, in the middle of the night, I felt myself being pushed, I was dreaming, I thought it was just the dream.  Nope, a few minutes later I was jolted awake.  I saw Austin standing before me, "Mom, are you awake?"  "I am now."  I asked if he had been poking or pushing me, he responded, "Yes, at least five times!!!"  Right, well, I did tell him to wake me up instead of scaring me, so I should be grateful for that!

Why does he wake me up?  It could be anything; a cold, he is thirsty, can't sleep and he is a very early riser!  Whatever the case may be, I am thanking you in this post, Austin, for waking me up, no matter what time and why.  I prefer to be woken than be watched as I sleep.  I have Edgar Allan Poe to thank  for that!

*HUGS*  All the best!

No Unicorns or Rainbows!

I follow a blog which I believe more people should read, especially parents with high functioning children on the autism spectrum.  The blog I am referring to is "Facing Autism in New Brunswick".  I have recommended this blog in the past and I continue to ask people to read it.  This man writes about his son and his experiences with autism.  They are much different than mine.  His recent posts about Jerry Seinfeld are a must read.  If you have the time, please go and have a look at this blog.

I should warn you, sometimes the comments about parents with high functioning children on the autism spectrum are a bit harsh.  I do not take it personally.  I write about my son's journey because it is what I know; what I experience.  I document it to show my son his achievements and challenges; his journey.  My son is on one end of the spectrum and this man's son, on the other.  The challenges he faces on a daily basis are beyond anything we could ever imagine.  I respect Mr. Doherty very much. He fights so hard for his son!  He does not mince words and he is very honest about how he feels regarding the severity of his son's autism.  Do not look for unicorns or rainbows, only the truth!  He says what he thinks and good for him!  I wish him and his family all the best!

*HUGS* All the best!