Category: The Kid
The transition into high school has been tough for my son. I feel competent to handle just about any situation involving him except when a situation occurs and I can’t talk to or see him. In these cases, frustration is having the power to resolve conflict and help my son, but not being allowed to use it.
So I took a long walk, and toward the end of it, at dusk, passed by a group of children playing. One of them immediately drifted off and fell into step beside me — a young man probably around 13 or 14. He said “I’m ready to go home.” and I said, “Me, too, kid.” He then tentatively said “Dad?” to me a couple times, and we made eye contact. I gently said, “I’m not your dad” and he looked a bit off guard and said “Oh.” One of the other kids said “that’s a neighbor, not your dad, don’t talk to him!” and the young man drifted back to the rest of the group.
The energy I was pouring into worrying about my autistic teenager drew another one to me. He also needed comfort, and, as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t provide it to him either. He voiced what I assume my child also needed that day. To be home with dad.