You know when you become ill, and you just want to lie still in bed, or on the sofa in a cosy blanket? I do. I had a cold last week, and after Tuesday’s drama, it took a turn for the worse. I woke up on Wednesday morning and could hardly move. Spectrummy Daddy was already getting ready for work when I informed him that he wasn’t going anywhere. One of the more challenging parts of our nomadic lifestyle is not having family around to call on. I feel guilty keeping him home, especially when I’ve had such a tough winter with my health. I only do it when there is no option.
By afternoon on Wednesday, I could get out of bed, but still felt pretty lousy. I moved to the sofa for a while, but then went back to bed. On Thursday I felt a little better. In an ideal world I’d have rested for another day, but that wasn’t to be. I was glad to put Pudding on the school bus. Cubby can be a handful at times, but he is fairly content to stay at home if necessary.
At 10 I got an email from Ms. S saying that Pudding seemed really congested. I called and said I’d collect her. Forgive me if I wasn’t feeling overjoyed at the prospect. You see, you know when you become ill and you just want to stay in bed, or on the sofa in a cosy blanket? Pudding doesn’t. In her four years on this planet, there has only been one occasion when she has voluntarily gone to bed in the daytime, and that was at Christmas. I took a photo of her napping on the couch because it was so note-worthy. She gave up naps at 18 months, and in sickness and in health she maintains an exhausting activity level all day long. Usually, she becomes even more hyper than usual when she is ill.
And so it was on Thursday. I was worn out. I tried to lure her with a movie, but the second she got her popcorn, she skipped away with it. She did not want to stay at home, and let me know that every few minutes or so.
By Friday, I was feeling better, but she was still ill. We played with almost every toy she owned, we did puzzles, we did crafts. She breezed through everything, still wanting to go to the playground, but I refused. She asked me repeatedly where I wanted to go to, and would be angered by my reply that we were staying home. I tried TV, her iPad, the computer, but all she wanted to do was go somewhere. With a hacking cough and streaming nose, there was no way I would allow it.
By Saturday she was better, and we could leave the house, to her great relief. By Sunday she was fine, so we left the house, though it was pouring with rain, and I’d have preferred staying indoors. Today I’ll be gladly waving her off to a half day of school.
For a spectrum child, she is unusual. Routines aren’t very important to her. She transitions very well. The difficulties that most parents have upon leaving the house aren’t so bad for us. I can just tell her we’re going out, and she’ll put her shoes on. But expecting her to stay inside? That is a problem. It isn’t so bad, is it? She loves going to restaurants and the mall. She adores playgrounds and museums. Anywhere novel is exciting. Though sensory overload can happen, it is mercifully rare. We’ve never had to use visual schedules with her, and I only use a (picture) social story when something very different is happening, like going on vacation. Her allergies are more of a problem when we are out, but she behaves significantly better than if we stay at home. The vast majority of her meltdowns take place at home. So we go out a lot. No big deal.
Except on Friday, when she had every means of entertainment at her hands, she still wanted out. She truly hates being kept indoors for a long period of time. The snow is not our friend for this reason. And on Friday, I learned that we will be taking two flights to get to South Africa, the second of which is 16 hours long. Sixteen.Hours.Long.
Cabin fever.
