Becoming a Father @ 73

[xcvator]

Oh dear, forgot how hurtfull kids can be to other kids, Anthony came home really upset yesterday, trying to find out why was like pulling teeth, he just didn't want to talk about it, but with a lot of care and carefull talking it turned out that 1 particular kid is giving him a hard time and told him his mother didn't love or want him and that's why he is living with us.

So lots of chatting and reassuring last night and giving him some strategies and techniques to counter the mental attacks.

Today is a new day, and he's happy to go to school today :Y:

 

[Manpa]

Tough job to do, its a testament to your love and caring that he is happy to go to school today. More strength to you.

 

[xcvator]

We've had a couple of hiccups in the last few days, but nothing that's not insurmountable if I don't crack the ***** and loose my temper with him. :lol:

Now I really need and update from current mums and dads of 11/12 year olds

What programs do you use for presentations ?

Some of them look good untill you see the price, a lot are subscription based ( which I don't like)

I've never used anything like this before so I've got to learn it along with Anthony 8.( 8.(

My list atm is Prezi, google slides,ms powerpoint (looks complicated) he/we have to be able to put the presentation onto a usb drive to show at school

HELP please

 

[Gem in I]

Careful xcvator not implying you but sometimes me the less I helped the better :lol: by that age I started finding it best to give emotional encouragement and agreement rather than computer expertise. (they already surpassed my computer skills but not my life skills).

Good luck

 

[Gem in I]

Does he have a laptop or not at this stage?

Schools usually have free downloadable programs via the school links.

Maybe contact the school or teacher for access.

 

[user 5263]

If you have Microsoft Office or 360 you should have powerpoint available in the programme.

 

[Clodmaster]

Google Slides is free I think xcvator. You just need a Google account. It's pretty easy to use. If you get stuck feel free to PM me for some help. Same with PowerPoint if you decide to go down that route.

Clod

 

[xcvator]

Thanks folks :Y: No laptop yet, no ms office (never needed it )

I'll be having a look at google slides after the w/e

 

[Redfin]

Remember it has to be compatible with whatever the school uses.
Talk to them first.

 

[xcvator]

He settled on doing a poster about parliament house, much cheaper and easier erfect:

A little gem came out on Friday, he now recons he's got 4 parents pity he includes his dipstick mother that didn't want him, the pain from biting the tongue gets a bit much at times, oh, well onwards and upwards.

His teachers are rapt that we are giving him and them so much support and it's showing in his behaviour, much improved on what he was like before. He still tends to lash out at other kids at times, very hard to pickup when he's going to do it, and not a good idea when you're only 22 kgs.

He got suspended from school for 2 days last week for hitting another kid, which was caught in cctv, so he had no argument about it, then he tried yelling at the principal and that didn't work either, then he got another suspension from youtube and computer games at home. When I told him that, he just looked at me quietly and said "yeah, I figured that would happen ", no tears, no yelling, just an acceptance of the punishment. Probably the 1st home punishment in his life, but hopefully a major lesson learnt.

Having Anthony here is a bit like fossicking for gems, sometimes they're buried and a bit hard to see, you just have to unearth them

 

[Wishfull]

Our 11 year old Autistic grandson moving in , (permanently we hope). He needs a lot of love and structure in his life at the moment.It's going to be hard for him, new school tomorrow, no mates here, but we're hopefull we can carry it off
Becoming a father at 73 is going to be fun

We have an autistic 9 year old girl living with is full time. We are 63 and 64
Shes a bit of problem more often than not.
Good on you for taking him in.

 

[xcvator]

Just another update
The young bloke has now made several friends from school :Y: and there's 2 girls his age living next door that he's had a couple of play dates with too erfect:

Bloody corona19, we've just had to ring his father and ban him from visiting That won't go over well when Anthony's told, but that's how it is atm, the world is going to oop:

 

[xcvator]

For all the wingers not happy about the lock down

Have a thought about other peoples circumstances 1st. Young Anthony is struggling with the whole situation, he can't go and play with anyone, he can't go and have a cuddle with his dad when he comes over 8.( . His mum just drove from Mirboo North to see him, and the same thing, no cuddles 8.( so he's not a happy little camper atm, and if you've ever been around an autistic kid when they're not happy and having a melt down you'll know what I'm talking about, very difficult situation.
And in turn that effects Bronny and me and our mental attitude as well, things do get tense at times but you just have to work through it and try and stay positive and happy.

So please try and put "a smile on your dial", whistle a happy tune, it really does help :Y: :Y:

 

[user 5263]

Feeling for you mate it's never easy at any time. Were in isolation with #6 child an adult son with Down Syndrome, thank goodness for an I pad and lots of networked friends.

 

[xcvator]

Time for an update
Anthony is going so well it's hard to believe he's the same kid that came to live with us 6 months ago.
No tantrums for months
Virtually no trouble at school, not that he's been there much with the lock down
He's now about 85% positive most of the time, still learning to find the good sides of situations instead of cracking temper tantrums (aren't we all )
When he got here he couldn't dress himself, use a knife and fork, tie his shoe laces, and now he does all of that and a lot more, even helps to clear the table after dinner and pack the dishwasher.

Big steps for a troubled little boy erfect: erfect: erfect:

There's been another big change in the household too, our daughter had her ivf baby 3 months ago, and because she has struggled badly with post natal depression we said she could move back in with us for a while, ( wtf was I thinking ) so now we have Bronny, Hayley,Anthony,Charli, Keith, and 2 dogs all in lock down :lol: :lol:

Now let me introduce Charli, my 1 and only grand daughter

 

[Ded Driver]

good to hear Xcvator :Y:

 

[Manpa]

Xcvator, I feel your pain, we have our daughter and 10 month old Granddaughter with us, been with us since the birth. Fun and games but Im looking forward to being an empty nester again whenever that may be.

Ps dont get me wrong, I love them but when youve been on your own for a few years its a shock to the system.

 

[RM Outback]

Great post Keith erfect: well done with Anthony's progress :clap: :clap: I'm sure he will value every day he spends with you and your wife :trophy: Charli is very cute no doubt your favourite when smiling and laughing :Y:

 

[Dihusky]

Wonderful, just shows what love, stability and routine can achieve, what an absolute gem :Y: :clap:

 

[DrDuck]

Great update Keith.

Sounds like the little feller is responding to some order and structure in life, some caring instruction, and old fashioned parenting.

Well done mate!