Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors

A few weeks ago, my name was chosen in a raffle for this book. 

 Elijah saw it sitting on the shelf and got upset “That’s mean! That’s rude!” 

“Honey, what’s mean?”

“It’s about me! I’m the only one in the house with behaviors, and my behaviors are getting better”

Ohhh, honey, I won this book, and originally it was to help me with you, but I’m learning about the brain and ALL of you have behaviors, because behaviors literally means “doing something”. 

This kid carries so much guilt about his short life. 

Elijah and his music

 

All of my kids like music, but since Elijah was small, he has had a habit of choosing “unconventional” music at bedtime. As a 5 year old, his body would finally quiet while he drowned himself in the loud, rhythmic, drumming of Twisted Sister, We’re Not Gonna Take It and/or I Wanna Rock. 

Tonight's song choice by Elijah was Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler.

He hasn't asked for any songs for a couple months. As he was settling in, I heard him mumbling, from under his blanket "and I need you more than ever..."

Then…"Mom? Can you put a song on? It says I need you more than ever, it's on the Trolls movie..." I had NO IDEA what song I was looking for so I typed that line into Apple Music. It was the 2nd song option. He got so excited! "That's the one!" We have now explored multiple covers of this song, and he is peacefully sleeping.