Dealing with emotions is a pivotal point we can’t overlook in our everyday lives. Owen and I woke at the same time last night. He was coming to the “white bed” to sleep, I was heading to the bathroom, and we met in the kitchen. This was absolutely the worst timing that possibly could have happened for us. He needed me to be in bed and I had to get to the bathroom. I want to cry thinking about it. But I have to breathe. The older he gets the more we have to get ahead of his emotions. Hormones will eventually take over and he needs to learn how to process them. Meltdowns can happen instantly if he is exhausted and especially in the middle of the night. He started screaming at me. I had to go to the bathroom. I told him that I was going to the bathroom and it was still nighttime. He kept screaming. I told him to go get in my bed and I would be right there. I started to walk toward the bathroom and he pushed me. I turned so he hardly touched me but he was ready to go again. I told him, trying to snap him out of this moment, that I had to go to the bathroom. I started walking. He came toward me one more time. Before he got to me I said the magic words, his teacher’s name. At two o’clock in the morning, those are the most powerful words I could think of. I told him that if he did not let me go to the bathroom he would not get to see his teacher in the morning. I cannot even explain how wonderful it is to know how much he loves going to school because this moment in time needed a huge distraction. He instantly started repeating her name, he was more focused, and said, “gotta go potty”. I told him to get in my bed once again and I would be there in a moment. He went towards my room and I headed to the bathroom. He still screamed off and on the whole time I was in there but at least he was focused enough to get through these moments. Thankfully he fell right back asleep in my arms as soon as I got back to my bed. It took me a while to fall back asleep because I was processing it all. This is my sweet baby O. It’s so emotional. To know that me walking to the bathroom causes him stress is nerve-racking. When we woke this morning I got up and once again went to the bathroom. I told Owen to go to the bathroom too. I sat with him afterward and I talked to him about our actions and reactions. I wanted him to understand that I know the night was very hard for him but he has to remember to breathe when he is feeling upset. When he came home from school I went through this again with him. I stood with him explaining that we had to work together and that we have to be kind to each other. He leaned his head forward wanting me to kiss his forehead. When he does this I know he understands to some degree about his actions. He’s only ten but he will be a teenager before I know it and I need him to understand feelings and emotions are a big part of our reactions and actions. He was very calm all night and I was on my toes making sure it stayed that way. He fell asleep in my arms once again after the blanket being on his head was old news. He wanted to sing with me all afternoon and this makes this momma happy. I think his interactions were a reassurance for both of us. Every step forward is a step. Our life isn’t always easy to explain but the love sure is. Love with all your heart and know that you can change the world with your smile. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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