I had just given birth to my fourth child and on my first day home my 6-year-old daughter announced, “Daddy took us all to Wal-Mart while you were at the hospital!”

I was duly impressed that my husband would venture out with “the 3 insane people”, as I affectionately called them at that stage!  

“Really?” I wondered out loud. “Why would he do that?” 

“Weeeelll….” Kaitlyn replied, “He had to get Ian some socks with no DEMONS in them!” 

It took me several more minutes of questioning to realize that what my daughter MEANT to say is that my husband had loaded all three children up into our mini van and took a road trip to the nearest Wal-Mart (half an hour away) to buy Ian some sock with no SEAMS in them!!!  

I later heard the story of how try as he might, my dear frustrated husband could not get Ian to stop crying until he found a pair of SEAMLESS SOCKS!  

Ian is now nearly 12 and still has definite opinions about texture, taste, the feel of certain fabrics, smells, sounds, etc.  It took up until last year for me to hear of the terminology Sensory Issues and while Ian is the “SENSITIVE” type, he is not as severely impacted as some children are, but the following tips have been somewhat helpful: 

1. FIND BALANCE!  I do NOT believe in coddling children so it is tough to find just the right balance between being sensitive to a true need and not pampering a “fit”.  Some children really do experience heightened pain and distress at unwanted stimuli.  It was hard for me to recognize this, but then again…  I should have known…  I am the one who will not eat almost any fruit because I cannot stand the fleshy texture or the tiny seeds in my teeth.  *OOOH* I am shuddering just typing this!
2. ACKNOWLEDGE TRIGGERS.  Know your child’s triggers and avoid them, when possible so as to prevent a tantrum or discipline issue. Once you step across a certain line… then you HAVE to discipline, but many times, you can stop it before it starts by being prepared.  i.e. stock up on seamless socks, if need be!
3. CREATE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS.  My son hates just about every food on the planet (except pizza), but we do not run a short-order café in our home and he is required to take, at least, a “no thank-you” bite of everything I serve and to eat a healthy meal at each sitting. 
4. TRY NOT TO MAKE TOO BIG A DEAL OF IT.  Oftentimes, the more we talk about things the bigger the obstacles become.  If you area nonchalant and upbeat, your child will often pick up on your consistent attitude!
5. ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENCES THAT YOU CAN.  Ian needs a quieter and softer place to learn.  I am still figuring out what our “acceptable standard” is for some parts of the day, but when he accomplishes a certain set of chores and commitments, he is ALLOWED a special privilege. He loves taking his remaining school work into a large closet just off the school room that he has filled with soft pillows and favorite blankets…  it is there that he does his best work!  

I’ll pray for you.  Please pray for me in this area.  It is a bumpy ride, for sure, but it CAN be done!  

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!