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Camp GonnaWannaPurplePuddle: Get out your hankies!!!
Dear FlyLady,
I'm referring to "skating in the kitchen" as a means of washing the
floor. Well what a brainwave that was, so many,many thanks to whomever
was responsible! My daughter and her 4 children ages 4, 6, 7,and 9,
live with me. Two of the children have Autism. This can be a precursor
for having the grubbiest kitchen floor in creation!! Food gets
dropped, by accident and on purpose, along with cutlery etc, so it
very quickly becomes a disaster area.
Last evening I suggested to my daughter that we take the children
skating this evening after supper. She looked at me as if I had 3
heads, or had completely lost my marbles. Even taking all 4 to the
grocery store requires a minimum of 2 adults, because of exit-seeking
behaviors. Now here was their grandmother calmly suggesting a trip
involving ice, skates etc etc.
I shared your suggestion with her and she loved it. So tonight after
supper we told the kids to get ready because we were going skating,
immediately one appeared with winter hat, mitts, snow pants and scarf.
I was nearly bursting trying not to laugh.
Then they saw the pail of warm soapy water and the bag of "widowed"
socks which lives in the laundry room, then Mummy donning 2 odd socks
and dipping her feet in the water. Within seconds they were all
participating and giggling non-stop for a good 15 minutes as we all
skated round the kitchen. The eldest, being very wise as only 9 year
olds can be, announced that the exercise was "crazy" but admitted we
had done a great job.
Now for me here's the best part, beyond the clean floor and happy
children, the 2 with Autism require a LOT of sensory input, and this
was so amazing for them, they participated fully, although they can't
verbalise meaningful conversation, had a wonderful time. As we were
cleaning up the 7 year old girl with Autism announced "this is magical".
Dear Flylady, that WAS a magical moment, her Mum and I had tears in
our eyes, convinced that her comment was deliberate. Even if it
wasn't, she somehow managed to capture the moment, and we thank you
for providing the inspiration which brought us there.
Flybaby M in the Niagara peninsula, Ontario.
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