The sadistic moms of Brain Balance

Really- you would think we were crazy, cruel and unfit mothers if you saw our reactions.
My kid got hurt and cried- YES!
Child is bawling because Dad and Pey are leaving- BIG smile on Mommy's face.
When told to do something, he does it, BUT is mumbling something under his breath- Mommy is clapping (on the inside, of course!)

You get the point.  First of all we are not crazy, or cruel, or unfit mothers.  We are watching a process that parents of neurotypical children take for granted.  We used to refer to Spence as a tough cookie.  But, we were wrong.  He didn't ignore the pain, he didn't FEEL the pain.  The neural receptors in his brain never processed the feelings of pain.  So, when he stubbed his toe hard against the door, sat on the floor grabbing the injured toe and crying a little- it was a milestone.  A neural pathway to the pain receptors in his brain has been formed.  Yep- pretty cool. One victory down, a million more to go.

Crying because Daddy and Pey are leaving.  Awesome.  It means that he has formed a bond with them, understands that they are going and not coming right back, and that he will MISS them when they are gone.  You tend to take familial relationships for granted.  Spence loves them, but prior to Brain Balance, they could leave for days and he would be okay with it.  This morning he went in search of his brother and Dad (they left yesterday afternoon.) Another several neural pathways that didn't exist before are responsible for these emotions and changes.

Okay, anger is a right brain emotion.  That is the side of the brain that is underdeveloped in Spencer.  The left side of his brain is probably operating at least at the level of his biological age- 6.  However, the right side of his brain is somewhere in the neighborhood of a three year old.  Force a NT (neurotypical) 6 year old to play with a NT 3 year old.  All the time.  There will be conflicts due to the difference in age.  That is how my son's brain tries to operate.  Sometimes things get lost in translation because the two sides of his brain aren't able to effectively communicate. But, we are working on that.  No ESY (extended school year) today- so we are finishing up breakfast and getting ready for our busy day.  Exercises, Brain Balance, Jump 2 it (maybe) and then swimming (maybe- if the weather holds out!) Gotta work that body to work that brain!