The New Room
Spazzerific has spent the day furnishing and organizing his new room. The walls I so carefully painted have been plastered with posters (sigh). His dresser, desk and a set of shelves have been installed.
I haven't seen him all day.
He spent a good part of the afternoon scouring every book nook in the house, collecting all the books that were his, and arranging them carefully. He has his school books and his birdwatching accessories stashed in the desk. On top is his Bible and his Field Guide to the Birds. He informed me he thought it best to keep both of those close at hand.
If it weren't for his 5-year-old brother, the Spazz would be a tidy creature, for the most part. He's basking in his newfound sense of order, privacy and quiet. Being 11, he has become territorial, wanting a space he can define as his own.
We talked about the responsibilities involved in having the newest, nicest room in the house (of which everyone is a little jealous). He's not to scratch or otherwise deface the paint job. He's not to dig holes in the walls (guilty in both his last two bedrooms). He's not to move his posters around constantly, because we don't need a bunch of holes poked in the wall either. He must take care of the room, or lose the privilege of sole occupancy. He must not smash the laundry basket we're giving him for his dirty laundry (also guilty in the past).
Because he's always, always shared a room with a sibling, it's been hard for him to feel motivated about taking care of things - his own get broken, and it's not his job to clean up after the other kid. It's been hard to keep his things tidy and out of reach. Now, he can admire his 3-D ship puzzle and his models, have all his books at hand, and study without interruption and distraction. I would not be surprised to find him vacuuming his carpet without prompting - at least at first.
We'll see how long it takes for the novelty to wear off....
Click here to see photos at our HSB blog.
I haven't seen him all day.
He spent a good part of the afternoon scouring every book nook in the house, collecting all the books that were his, and arranging them carefully. He has his school books and his birdwatching accessories stashed in the desk. On top is his Bible and his Field Guide to the Birds. He informed me he thought it best to keep both of those close at hand.
If it weren't for his 5-year-old brother, the Spazz would be a tidy creature, for the most part. He's basking in his newfound sense of order, privacy and quiet. Being 11, he has become territorial, wanting a space he can define as his own.
We talked about the responsibilities involved in having the newest, nicest room in the house (of which everyone is a little jealous). He's not to scratch or otherwise deface the paint job. He's not to dig holes in the walls (guilty in both his last two bedrooms). He's not to move his posters around constantly, because we don't need a bunch of holes poked in the wall either. He must take care of the room, or lose the privilege of sole occupancy. He must not smash the laundry basket we're giving him for his dirty laundry (also guilty in the past).
Because he's always, always shared a room with a sibling, it's been hard for him to feel motivated about taking care of things - his own get broken, and it's not his job to clean up after the other kid. It's been hard to keep his things tidy and out of reach. Now, he can admire his 3-D ship puzzle and his models, have all his books at hand, and study without interruption and distraction. I would not be surprised to find him vacuuming his carpet without prompting - at least at first.
We'll see how long it takes for the novelty to wear off....
Click here to see photos at our HSB blog.
Labels: LifeSkills
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