Extreme Makeover Bipolar edition
For some of us, okay, MOST of us, it's been a rough week. For a humorous reality check, I often turn to my friends Patty and Gina over at Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid.
Extreme Makeover Bipolar edition
As parents of a teenage bipolar daughter, my husband must always find ways to “roll with the punches”.
“Mom! Jennifer’s punching a picture of you!” screamed my son.
“That’s OK, I look fat in that one!”
The key to survival, of course, is to try and find the silver lining among some pretty dark clouds. Sometimes it’s easier than others, particularly when she employs one of her most proven coping techniques – cleaning and re-arranging her room. Often, when I enter her room to give her a goodnight kiss, I’m never quite sure, just where I’ll find her bed—or her. My husband and I are in agreement—-until she starts using power tools, this is a healthy way for her to release her anger and frustration.
I got the opportunity to see this plan in action last weekend when she became upset after some problems with her friends. She was growing increasingly agitated, as we discovered when we were attempting to collect the children to take them to my sister’s house for a birthday party for her little cousin.
“Come on Jenn! It’s time to go to Emmy’s party!” I quietly announced.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I HATE YOU! I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE! she screeched.
Upon hearing her less than cheerful tone, my husband and I did the only thing good parents would do — we ditched her – leaving her alone to cool down. . Of course, she did manage to keep in touch by calling my cell phone no less than 27 times.
When we returned several hours later, I wasn’t sure what I would find or even if my house would still be standing.
As we walked into the kitchen, my husband and I were amazed.
“Wow!” exclaimed my husband, “she cleaned the entire kitchen.”
“Gee, how did she get that nasty grease spot off the stove?” I asked.
“When did you buy that bookcase?” my husband asked.
“I didn’t, but Jenn is right, it looks much better on that wall. And I really like how she put the sectional on the North wall. She’s really got a knack for this.”
My husband and I were amazed. The house had never looked better – which gave us a brilliant idea.
“Oh Jennifer!” we called in unison.
With her head down, she sauntered into the kitchen.
“Yes?” she asked still afraid to make eye contact.
“We’re having friends over on Saturday. Do you suppose we could schedule a meltdown for Friday afternoon?”
Read more from Patty & Gina on their Blog.
Comments
Okay, I don't suppose I should have laughed at the part about scheduling a melt down, but it does sound like she come up with a fairly productive way to cope.
Posted by: Marye~ | February 23, 2008 11:44 AM
I wish it was that way here. My son builds when he is upset- usually with Legos. But the home makeover is usually from a more destructive place. It gives me an idea for a blog post though. I know several excellent ways of patching a wall, and other home things we have done that have made the environment safer and more pleasant. Maybe next week :)
Posted by: Krista | February 23, 2008 12:05 PM