The grass and bushes were still pretty wet and after a while Jane had stomped around enough for Daddy to holler inside, "I think wellies would be better mummy! Jane go inside and get your wellies on."
As I approach the front door, Jane is stood on the porch with soggy looking shoes and her bottom lip sticking out. "Shhhh, but I don't want to wear wellies. They make me fall over."
I tried not to smile at the fact that she had tried to hide her confession from her dad. I opened the door wider and asked her if she had finished playing outside or not. Sensibly she came in and we popped her shoes on the dryer.
But her adorable confession reminded me of the difficulties the boys have in wellies. David in particular won't wear them. As part of their autism both the boys have sensory processing disorder (SPD). If affects them both differently.
David finds his level by spinning and squealing a lot. Anthony likes to jump but his biggest issue was falling over. We were in A&E twice before every cornered and edged piece of furniture was fitted with bumpers. Wellies were difficult for him too. They were just too awkward to work and required a bit more coordination than he had in those loose fitting boots.
David has a slightly different issue. As with many people with autism, David likes routine and sameness. He wouldn't wear wellies because they weren't his normal shoes, they were different. Not surprising really, it took us three weeks to get him to try his school shoes on.
Of course, for some kids with SPD, wellies would be essential as they might not be able to bare getting wet or cold.
Both our boys do a bit better now. Happily, a lack of wellies doesn't seem to stop them running around the garden. How do your kids survive the wet or cope with different clothes?
Both our boys do a bit better now. Happily, a lack of wellies doesn't seem to stop them running around the garden. How do your kids survive the wet or cope with different clothes?
It's interesting to read about how SPD affects your children differently. Wellies are tricky to walk in and I can see why there would be resistance to wearing them but equally how some children with SPD might prefer them because they can't bear to be cold or wet. That was an adorable confession from Jane though about why she didn't want to wear wellies. Thank you for sharing with #ftmob
ReplyDeleteShe whispered so quietly so her dad wouldn't hear xxx
DeleteVery interesting read! Thanks for the insight
ReplyDeletex Alice
#ftmob
Welcome!
DeleteWhat an adorable confession. It's interesting to read about how SPD effects your boys differently; I think wellies are hard to walk in in the best of times! I remember lots of running and tripping when I wore them as a child. Ray X #toddlerapprovedtuesday
ReplyDeleteI think they take a bit of getting used to each time I pop them on. A bit like flip flops I guess.
DeleteI'm just starting volunteer training at a local childrens' centre and beginning to learn a little bit about SPD, as it's something that I knew nothing about really. Thank you for sharing your experiences. It's really interesting to learn about how it can effect people so differently.
ReplyDeleteDawn x
#FamilyFun
My sons SPD means he hates being messy. He didn't like wellies when he was younger and you made me think when I read this, I bet it was the instability of them. Its strange how the answers hit you sometime and much later. Thanks so much for linking up with #FamilyFun
ReplyDeleteDavid doesn't like being sticky, but he's ok with wet messy hands. It's a real borderline thing that if you didn't know about it you'd just think he was being fussy!
DeleteI find it hard walking in wellies as an adult! It's interesting to read about SPD and how it affects your boys in different ways. It's sweet that Jane didn't want her dad to know. #ftmob
ReplyDeleteYeah, I much more a boots person myself!
DeleteAh, Jane sounds like a sweetie. It's hard when a child knows they should do something but just can't. It's good she told you that she didn't want to wear the wellies. It's better than her being upset. One of my kids is so particular about clothing & will not wear costumes of any kind. #familyfun
ReplyDeleteEldest sometimes finds it hard to explain and just says 'he can't' do somethings. Takes experience to know when he really can't though and I don't always get it right.
DeleteRe costumes, bet you'd like: http://rainbowsaretoobeautiful.blogspot.com/2015/11/our-mummification-mishaps-autism-and.html
Isn't that interesting to see the differences in reaction to the same situation? My kids (eldest especially) love wearing wellies BECAUSE they are not the normal wear, and despite the fact that they really do make them fall over more! :D #familyfun
ReplyDeleteAll kiddies are different in different ways, that's for sure! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteVery interesting! My two love their wellies, Mr O mainly because he hates getting wet and cold feet, although when he gets holes in them then we need to get new ones quick and Mr A just likes that he can put them on himself and stomp a lot! I always find it interesting how SPD can affect children so differently. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x
ReplyDeleteAs long as they're happy, shoes can always be cleaned and dried can't they. But it's so much fun being outdoors even at this time of year. Nothing beats stomping in muddy puddles and running about in the soggy leaves. Jane sounds so sweet! It's funny how all children see things in different ways isn't it? Evie hates new shoes, yet after a while wants to wear them all the time. She cried so hard the first time we put on her wellies and now she often comes into our living room, wearing her pjs for bed and a pair of wellies. They are so cute sometimes. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather
ReplyDelete