TMJ,
You are definitely not alone! I am also new here and have found so much comfort in such a short period of time.
My DS10 is a quirky kid. He's always been wired differently--movies at theaters were too intense for him, he's very picky about foods, he's inflexible--yet he has the funniest insights. He's begun playing the electric guitar and recently wanted to bring the guitar into Panera when we stopped there for a bite. He said, "I could bring in my guitar, play a little and tell them that I'm a trouvere, mom." Okay, how many 10 year olds know what a trouvere is?
He's growing into a really imaginative, delightful young man but when he was littler I don't think I left the house for the first three years of his life, he was so challenging. I never knew when or where or how a meltdown might occur. His preschool teachers wanted to hold him back because his behaviors were odd and immature. (Thank goodness we didn't listen. I can't imagine how bored he would have been one grade behind where he is now when now is not even close to where he should be academically.)
My point is, I guess, that slowly, I am learning to trust myself and not listen so much to the words of others--they just don't know our situation. Most people just REALLY don't know. It's so hard though, isn't it? I'm just so glad I can come here and let it all out. Thanks everyone and TMJ, we're here for you!
