In a past entry I made mention of the use of "lures" to control behavior in our FASD child, Nokomis. Games (which may be considered a type of lure) are another means for controlling behavior. In our house there are currently two games that are played everyday to help our child. One helps her take her medicine the other helps her to sleep.
Nokomis does not take her medicine well. It sometimes takes 30 minutes for her to swallow several pills that should take 2 seconds. This can be infuriating! Just swallow the pills already! During our struggles we discovered her willingness to swallow if she thinks she is fooling us. Each day my wife or I will mention to Nokomis that she should take her medicine now so as to fool the other. We play it up big emphasizing how surprised the other will be when they find out. This works, she can't swallow her pills fast enough. One morning she even woke me up so she could fool mom before she came downstairs from a shower. After she swallows the pills we "secretly" discuss how surprised mom will be when she finds out. Once the fooled person finds out they are VERY surprised.
Nokomis also does not like going to bed. Often, after we get her to lay down she will get up and the process will start over. Again, we discovered that if she fools dad she seems to be more content to stay in bed. I think her anticipation for fooling me helps her to go to bed as well. Each night at bedtime mom will say goodnight. Nokomis, will ask mom to get daddy. This is where she prepares for the game. She will hide under her blanket waiting for me to see her. When I enter the room to kiss her goodnight I am faced with trying to guess which side of the bed her head is on. Some how I guess wrong every night! I am shocked everytime as well! This makes her happy and more content at bedtime.
Life is much more enjoyable when we discover fun ways to move our daughter. Games like these are fun and simple. It's much easier to embrace a content and happy child than one who is not. Nokomis likes to fool us. So now she "fools" us everyday!
Nokomis does not take her medicine well. It sometimes takes 30 minutes for her to swallow several pills that should take 2 seconds. This can be infuriating! Just swallow the pills already! During our struggles we discovered her willingness to swallow if she thinks she is fooling us. Each day my wife or I will mention to Nokomis that she should take her medicine now so as to fool the other. We play it up big emphasizing how surprised the other will be when they find out. This works, she can't swallow her pills fast enough. One morning she even woke me up so she could fool mom before she came downstairs from a shower. After she swallows the pills we "secretly" discuss how surprised mom will be when she finds out. Once the fooled person finds out they are VERY surprised.
Nokomis also does not like going to bed. Often, after we get her to lay down she will get up and the process will start over. Again, we discovered that if she fools dad she seems to be more content to stay in bed. I think her anticipation for fooling me helps her to go to bed as well. Each night at bedtime mom will say goodnight. Nokomis, will ask mom to get daddy. This is where she prepares for the game. She will hide under her blanket waiting for me to see her. When I enter the room to kiss her goodnight I am faced with trying to guess which side of the bed her head is on. Some how I guess wrong every night! I am shocked everytime as well! This makes her happy and more content at bedtime.
Life is much more enjoyable when we discover fun ways to move our daughter. Games like these are fun and simple. It's much easier to embrace a content and happy child than one who is not. Nokomis likes to fool us. So now she "fools" us everyday!