Feeling a bit guilty because I haven’t posted here for a considerable amount of time (and I haven’t kept up to date with the other blogs I follow either – sorry). However, excuses abound — most of them revolving, sadly, around work. This unfortunate blip in my day is a necessary evil, partly because it is funding my second excuse — our upcoming trip to Italy.
We’re away for five weeks — three of them during the term, followed by two weeks of school holidays.
Now that our departure date is just around the corner, excitement is starting to creep in — for three out of four of us.
Geordie is not what I’d call keen.
At all.
I quote:
I’d rather go to school than go to Italy.
This is pretty huge for a boy who hates school.
In fact, he revealed the other day he is now telling kids at school that he’s just being dragged along to Sydney with his Mum for three weeks for a “stupid dragon boating event”.
Why Sydney?
He figures it’s the least exciting of any potential destination so nobody will bother asking him about his trip when he returns to school.
I have to hand it to him — it’s a pretty good strategy for someone who hates talking about himself and answering a myriad of boring questions. Sydney is just down the road (sort of) and everyone goes there, so who would bother asking about his time away?
Except, his best friend AND his teachers all know where he is really going.
Oops! My bad.
Just about everyone is astounded when they find out he doesn’t want to go.
Who wouldn’t want to go to Italy?
It’s not Italy, per se. It could be anywhere.
It’s the unknown that’s the issue.
We’ll be staying in lots of places we’ve never been. Sleeping in beds that aren’t ours. Eating off crockery that’s not ours. There’ll be lots of people — way too many people. We don’t have a fixed daily schedule.
It’s like a never ending minefield of what-the-hell-is-going-to-happen-next-edness.
The other issue is the ‘fact’ that “Italy is just full of boring old buildings and museums.”
And then there’s the unexpected twist — in Social Studies, Year 7 have been studying ancient civilisations. Our hopes that this would inspire him in a positive way were dashed when we found out he doesn’t like his teacher. Bugger.
Finally, the ultimate insult. Not only are we making him go and making him miss his downtime at home in the holidays — we get back with a weekend to spare and then the first day back at school is his birthday.
Anyway — we’re going. We’ll modify what we do to ease some of his pain, but not all of it. He will have to deal with new experiences, and I am just living in the hope that once we get there, with new ‘early birthday present’ video camera in hand, he’ll find something to enjoy.
Before I return to my packing (and repacking), I’ll share one last gem from Geordie … I’m not sure whether to be impressed by his creativity or chastened by the reality:
I’m just like an old blanket you drag around behind you everywhere you go.
In My Asperger's World 
Geordie has the creativity like his mum! 5 weeks sound long if you are going somewhere you dread. I hope all turns out well. Is Fifi coming along too?
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It is a long time. He overthinks things too – which is understandable when all you have to base judgements on is your imagination and the drone of a Social Science teacher you really don’t like. One good thing – he’s not exhibiting his normal stress and anxiety signs … could be he’s learned to hide them, but I hope not. Am remaining vigilant. And yes, Fifi is coming – although, I believe he’s been assigned to the checked in luggage on the flights!! We’ll see. I am hoping we’ll be able to make a photo/video journey of Fifi’s travels in Italy.
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I’d love to read about Fifi’s travels! Have a safe and fun journey ❤
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Thank you. Am hoping to post some photos of Fifi’s travels with a commentary.
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I think it is good to take Geordie our of his comfort zone. Many parents fall into not showing expectations and this sets some children with unique personalities into their own “ruts.” I was a preschool teacher with 8 children of different abilities (developmental delays) and four peers (typically developing). We had am and pm (afternoon) classes. There were great parents who WOD try anything to get their child to add activities or interests. Three to five is the time to start expanding their lives, even those who resist. 💞
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So true – but it needs to be done carefully. There’s a fine line between not enough and too much.
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WOD = would
A terrible spellcheck! I hate weapons and am so sorry! Hugs, Robin
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Knew what you meant.
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