coping

My guys have had a hard time adjusting to our move, but that's expected. I think the interesting part is how each of the kid's unique personalities have come through in their coping skills.

David has been fine - he understands that the way we live is not any different - the only difference is where we are living. He has asked a few questions - like asking during a thunderstorm if the lightning hits the ground like it does in Mansfield. That's David's personality, though. He needs to know what's happening, when, why - facts, concrete information.

Alex has been coping by making up his own rules and ignoring mine. I'm trying to make him understand that some things are constant - like the basic house rules. I'm trying to help him understand that even though we are in a new place, most things regarding how we do things will stay the same. He's also turned into a whine factory - bursting into tears or whining over the smallest things. With the rules thing,though, Alex's personality has always been to stretch the rules and/or make up his own.

Miguel, on the other hand, has turned into a stubborn control freak. Everything has to be done his way on his time. If not, he has a meltdown. I know he feels things are spinning out of control so he's trying to control what he can. Miguel has recently learned to stick up for himself when Alex gets overbearing. Now, he's making sure his needs and wants are known, no matter what!

It has been kind of difficult, but I'm making sure to give the boys extra hugs and I'm making sure to listen to them and help them understand what's happening in the best way that I can. Lots of prayer for them helps, too, of course.

The other thing that helps Miguel is art therapy. The problem with Miguel's art therapy is that he enrolled himself and uses the house as his canvas.

Piano benches,


walls,


boxes,


nothing is off limits when he finds something to write with!

grr.

UPDATE: I wrote about Miguel making sure his own needs were met. He wanted yogurt after breakfast, which I said no to because he had quite enough food for breakfast. I came inside after helping Andres load up the minivan with empty boxes to recycle and found the fridge door open, a stepstool in front of it, a dining chair behind the stepstool with yogurt cups on it, Miguel in his chair at the table with one empty yogurt cup, two spoons, yogurt all over Miguel's mouth and shirt, and another yogurt cup that Miguel was reaching for to take the lid off of. I guess he really wanted some yogurt!