In Defence – Tues 10th Feb 2015
By Jeannette | February 10, 2015
I doubt D would have slept last night, were it not for melatonin. She attempted to settle full of anxieties around the sporting event she was due to participate in, shaking as soon as she was awake this morning too.
It was the uncertainty, the fear of something new and unknown that was agitating her. The routine change, the fact that she’d be playing a contact sport and having to play in a team.
It all made for an extremely tearful D.
On these occasions, where I can see that she’s already extremely fragile, I will ask T to take this into account. Unfortunately it is without success, as a few jibes from him before school this morning and she was in tears again.
Our walk to school was slow, filled with cuddles and attempts at distracting her. I babbled on about her favourite films/birds we could see/anything to take her anxieties away briefly.
I didn’t like leaving her at school, she didn’t want me to and it was mutual. She had a little note to read and carry in her pocket, with little hearts and “have a good time” as she wouldn’t be allowed to take Bunny.
The end of school brought a tired and quite pale D and the above!
She’d played in defence (same as T) and even had a go in goal. Her school doesn’t have that many girl pupils but she’d known a few of those that were also in the team. She did it!
It’s not been without consequence. She’s been extremely fragile, susceptible to tears again and I suspect that she did what she was told and built up emotions as she is prone to.
Today was about trying something new, playing as a team and (I hope) enjoying herself. She earnt 3 house points so we’re a tad (well, a lot) proud of our tired girl. I think she’ll sleep well tonight!
6 Comments
xOjox on 10th February 2015 at 9:51 pm.
That’s awesome! R is struggling with team sports, he wants to do them, bit can’t shtick the aggravation of other players! Big step for D today xx
Jeannette on 24th February 2015 at 9:07 pm.
Same here, D really dislikes contact sports so did very well x
Jane - Our Little Escapades on 17th February 2015 at 9:37 am.
That’s fantastic and I think you need a medal because I don’t know how I would have coped with this situation. I’m glad D took part and hopefully this will improve her anxiety in the future x
Jeannette on 24th February 2015 at 9:07 pm.
I hope so too, it’s all the uncertainty that can “tip her over”, she did very well. School do actively encourage team play and team work 🙂
Mummy Wife Woman on 25th February 2015 at 10:45 am.
Oh what a wonderful post. D has done amazing and you should be so proud of her. Its weird how these little things to us are the really big things to our little people on the spectrum. (Bruiser struggles too when things like nativities or sports days crop up). Huge high five to D xx
Jeannette on 21st November 2015 at 2:44 pm.
Thanks, I am so proud of her x