I’m not really sure where my son has gone, or who this kid is that has been left behind in his place.

J has literally changed overnight. I mean, he can still be loud and a little crazy, but he’s growing up so fast. He’s been asking to sit in the middle of the table. Hmmm, wow, that sounds weird! Let me explain……… Usually, for the comfort and well-being of everyone at the table, he sits in between Jon and I, at the head of the table. He has wanted to sit at the opposite head of the table beside our Korean studen, Jun and Geli or Xani whoever happens to be sitting in the other chair. He calls that the middle seat.

Anyway, he has had a few good days in a row sitting in between Jon and I where he has #1) not used his fingers to feed himself once during the meal, and #2) he actaully spent the whole meal with his butt on his seat. As much as you might think that should be something that any normal 5 year old child should be capable of - if you are seriously trying to place J within the confines of normal child parameters - you’re crazy! Bless you, but you’re crazy. With much fear and trembling that he might traumatize our poor student - we let him sit in the middle chair. He’s been an angel. Again with the using of the fork and knife properly to eat his food. Sitting still(ish) and fairly proper……I’m amazed!

Not only has he done well at the dinner table, but he’s also shown an interest in helping out around the house. WOW! This one is mind blowing because if you actually knew/know J, just the fact that he’s even aware of someone or thing outside of his little mind’s world is amazing.

As an example,

He still could really care less that there are other kids in his kindergarten class. He’s aware that there are bodies near to him, but they are generic kids with no names, faces or personalities, and they have absolutely no bearing or impact on his life. At least this is how it has come across…..sad, eh?

So, we have started a chore chart - for the 15th kerbillion time. The kids have options as to what they want to do on any given day. We have had a few easy jobs for J to do…..empty the little garbage cans in the bedrooms and bathrooms into the main kitchen ones, or pick up toys in the TV room. Easy stuff! His choice’s lately have been to clean the TV Room and Vaccum it. Excuse me!?!?! And he’s so pround of himself, too. Today, he really wanted some peanuts(in the shell - major mess waiting to happen). Jon told him that if he cleaned up the TV room and vaccumed it that he would let him have some. INSTANTLY, he was picking up toys and putting way dishes and then whipped out the vaccum cleaner. I was in shock! The room is not perfectly clean, but it is 5 year old clean AND there was not one bit of whining or anything. Just BAM and he’s done. He even wrapped up the vaccum cord and put the vaccum away in the closet after he was finished.

Something’s happening and it’s good!

We’ve been working with him on his spelling and his letters, and praising him into doing a good job. There’s been a WHOLE LOT OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT GOING ON! It seems to be working! He’s transforming from a freaky little brat into a wonderful, pleasant, helpful, litle boy right in front of our eyes.

I’ve not called him loving and there’s a reason. There has never been a question as to him being loving. He is very cuddly and open with his love. BUT man (or woman) cannot live on love alone……….and I’ve always wondered when the light was going to go on and he’d join the rest of us in the family, the house, the world…… It seems like it’s happenning and I’m almost blown away by it all.