It is, naturally, the day after a teacher compliments Gleek on her much improved behavior at church that Gleek has a melt down. However it is a measure of great progress that the “melt down” would barely measure on a scale which we used in days of yore. On the way home from church Gleek’s tale of woe spilled forth. It had far more to do with not wanting to grow up than anything else, which makes me wonder what arguments were aimed at her in the effort to get her to comply. Or maybe today was just the day for Gleek to stare oncoming teenagerhood in the face and be afraid of it.
Because one emotional upheaval is insufficient for Sunday afternoon, Link had to face down his communications merit badge. He’s recently decided that he does want to become an Eagle Scout and that he wants to do it before he is sixteen. I find this a worthy goal, mostly because I’m so glad to see him picking any goal and heading for it. Link needs some focus right now. Except there is this one requirement where Link has to lead a meeting, and that felt impossible to him, which meant that he felt like he had to give up the whole goal. I could see his despair and I knew that it would not go away. He really wants this. So we talked and I made some calls. And I arranged for the meeting to take place this Wednesday in our back yard, on home turf. Beyond that I can’t, and shouldn’t, make this any easier. I can’t give Link this triumph. All I can do for him is insist that he attempt it rather than giving up without trying. He may fail miserably come Wednesday and I have to let him. I much prefer that my children learn lessons about succeeding over hard things, but lessons from failure can be hugely important.
I’m very impressed with my kids just now. It seems like they are all soaring. Yes they’re periodically crashing into emotional messes because they feel like it is all impossible, but then they get up and fly again. Link can not see how his communication skills are improving by leaps and bounds on an almost daily basis. Gleek is afraid of growing up because she’s already mid-process. Every day she’s taking responsibility for her own work and actions. According to Howard Kiki has totally rocked her first full convention experience. She sold some artwork and may have some commissions lined up. Patch had been taking schedule changes in stride instead of getting upset when things do not work out how he expects. I’m sure we will again find ourselves lost in the woods, wondering which way to go in order to help a child. For now the paths are clear and we’ve got some good gliding straightaways ahead.