How was your week? I did something new with a familiar kid client today!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218881)
Walnut Creek, California
February 24, 2017 10:31pm CST
I'm not sure how much information I've given about my Friday afternoon kid client. He's 11-years-old now, and quite the artist and (blossoming) musician. We often go to Guitar Center and practice the Grateful Dead's St. Stephen on the guitars there. He learned that when he was my client two years ago, and we'd listen to Live Dead over and over in my truck. My CD player is broken now, but he still remembers the song, and we sometime sing it when we're driving. His mom is a nice lady, but she tends to take away his guitar and his art supplies when he's been naughty at school, leaving him with nothing to do.
Today, we went to a Dodge dealership and brought home some literature so he could draw his favorite thing (cars). We also went to Target and bought him a new binder for his school papers. I can tell that his teacher is trying to help this kid (he has ADHD, and it's real) to be more "organized." He's trying. We also worked on a cabin we're building from scratch using scrap wood from Lowe's.
But the most exciting thing we did was take a bike ride! I happened to have my Trek 820 in the back of my vehicle, so we grabbed his bike and went out on a bike path near his house. I could tell my his hesitancy that he hasn't ridden that much. And he was a bit afraid of dogs on the trail, hissing noises in the grass, etc. But he was much more confident by the time we got home.
It was a nice way to end a very busy week. I got my papers back to my college students, got all of my progress notes turned in (until my computer at work died--some are waiting to be printed out), and worked at my friend's preschool this morning with the littlies. I brought my guitar in and sang a few kids songs with them.
How was your week overall? Tonight I will finish up the work I've been doing on my mandolin, play some guitar, and maybe grade some papers. Wine will be involved. It's time to relax. I'll attach a picture of today's kid from the first time he was my client, two years ago. This is our second go-round together.
16 people like this
17 responses
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 17
If I heard hissing noises in the grass you would not see me for dust!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 17
@TheHorse Hmm they may well be but if they are hissing perhaps they are coming out of hibernation! I would not stick around to find out! LOL
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Feb 17
Music and cycling. Teach him hockey and you've hit my trifecta!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Feb 17
@teamfreak16 Oh, I'm not going to TALK about football. I'm going to play catch with the sprouts.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Feb 17
@TheHorse - Well, yes, of course. Especially the glorious history of the Raiders (the last 14 years notwithstanding! )
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50256)
• United States
25 Feb 17
We had a pretty good week. Mostly I stayed home and did cooking and cleaning. 
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50256)
• United States
25 Feb 17
@TheHorse I love to vacuum . I find it very satisfying 
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Feb 17
@Tampa_girl7 Me too! Have you seen the Monty Python movie with the killer bunny? That's what my dust bunnies are like. (clip is under 2 mins)
Better quality bunny scene from Monty Python & The Holy Grail
@sallypup (61127)
• Centralia, Washington
25 Feb 17
God I needed somebody like you when I was a kid. You spread such positive vibes in our younger generations. I see the effects of cruddy pseudo food and sitting on their butts with tech devices every time I go to a grocery store. Frightening and sad. I am glad there are a few bright lights like you in this needy world.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Feb 17
You had a very satisfying week, it seems. Mine was leisurely until this weekend when I was asked to fill in for someone yesterday and today at the store, and will work my regular five hours tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Feb 17
@TheHorse It is a pretty fun place to work, great co-workers and customers eager to ask questions and talk about birds.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
Sounds like you had a productive week.
My sister @Platespinner came up for a week to visit and help with my father. We picked him up one afternoon so he could enjoy a home cooked meal. He has developed a second ulcer in his leg so we took him to the doctor again. It's been a week of running around....sitting and visiting.....running around......
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Feb 17
I hope your dad is doing better. I don't think I knew you were @Platespinner's sister!
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
26 Feb 17
@TheHorse surprise. Quite a number of Mylotters know that we are sisters. She's the baby...I'm the middle sister.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
26 Feb 17
@Platespinner imagine. I've known you since you were an itty, bitty baby.
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
25 Feb 17
You are good at helping and supporting positive things in this kid's life. I have a student kid that could use some of that motivation. I am relaxing doing humble household things today.
1 person likes this
. You are doing great by helping this child
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Feb 17
well I had a lot of pain b ht my left arm is healing and I have been able to type jnost of time so its been a learning experience for me never having been hurt like this before l lol
@laudiolimarj (5)
•
25 Feb 17
The world needs people to help others. Do you remember this one? Congratulations continue the great work with this boy. be happy!
@FourWalls (68034)
• United States
25 Feb 17
Cool beans! Let me ask you (as you live it as opposed to some "professor" blabbing statistics), have there been studies on music helping ADHD students? It seems to me that ADHD has increased as music classes in schools have decreased, but I'm biased.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218881)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Feb 17
It's a relatively new area of research, but I think music is going to turn out to be good for the ADHD brain, especially actually playing music. Music helps parts of the brain involved in attention and executife functioning, two areas where ADHD kids struggle.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Feb 17
That is so nice of you to be there to help the kid. I am sure he will always have fond memories of you when he gets older.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Feb 17
Riding a bike sounds a nice way to spend time together. Does physical stuff like that help with ADHD? I guess I mean do they need a lot of active activity (?) to get rid of excess energy - or is it more mental energy rather than physical? Sorry if I'm not making myself clear.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
25 Feb 17
What a wonderful way to end your week. I am sure this young man adores you. I have been busy running all over the past couple of weeks and didn't get much done for myself. But that is fine as it was meant to be. I am sure this next week will be better and I will get a lot done.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
27 Feb 17
I do hope things change, there is something to be said for punishment to be taking away of something BUT leaving a kid with nothing to do, just creates an atmosphere of, well, more bad behaviors.
@sarah2592 (94)
• Wilmslow, England
27 Feb 17
This post really warms my heart.
My scenario is slightly different but I manage a team of care assistants for a young man in a wheelchair he has complex needs epilepsy, deaf and blind. I try my absolute hardest to get him doing the impossible. I'd do anything for the young man and when people say you can't do that, I make it my mission to do it and prove them wrong everything is possible it just might take longer or be more work but that doesn't matter.
We took him camping last year it was extremely hard going but he got so much out of it. I just wish I could help every disabled person get the most out of life and have a fun filled happy one.
