So my day has gotten more and more frustrating as the it’s gone on. Most of the frustration revolves around Gavin. He’s not trying to drive me crazy but he’s managing to do an exceptional job, with little or no effort. O_o

First of all, I’ve been battling with him because he has this thing for putting things right on the very edge of the table.

I don’t know why he does this. Maybe it’s OCD or just a bad habit but I can’t tell you how many times this has caused a huge mess. Water bottles like this are less of a problem but he puts everything on the edge of the table.

You may even recall that this is what led to him breaking his last tablet.

What typically happens is he puts something at the very edge of the table and then bumps into it, causing whatever is there to come crashing to the floor.

The picture below shows the results of him putting the giant fruit bowl on the very edge of the stove today and then accidentally knocking it off. Huge mess and glass everywhere.

Does he do any of this on purpose? No he doesn’t… Does that make it any less frustrating? Fuck no it doesn’t!!!!!!

I’m overwhelmed by all these things because it’s constant.

We have to think ten steps ahead of him most of the time. In many ways, it’s like having a toddler in a clumsy teenage body. We need to Gavin-proof the house anymore.

I love this kid to the moon and back but holy shit, he’s exhausting. This is the kind of stuff that made my hair runaway and my beard turn white. 😁

The reason I’m sharing this is because it’s okay to be frustrated and overwhelmed by the complications our precious kids with special needs can bring into our lives.

I wouldn’t expect anyone to read this and think that Gavin was a bad kid. He’s a great kid but he’s also a kid with many challenges as well. Likewise, I wouldn’t expect anyone to read this and assume I’m a bad parent because I’m expressing my feelings..

I’m human and I have limits. I have feelings like anyone else, and rather than be ashamed of them or be swallowed by the guilt of feeling them, I’ve chosen to use this as an example to help other parents realize that they aren’t the only ones feeling these things.

This is all part of the special needs parenting game. ☺