The last thing I want to do is to bore you with my parental acumen so I'll let you in on a little secret. I really stink at it sometimes. Case in point, Thing #1..."The Early Years". Now that he is 26 and will be graduating law school in May (just wait for it...I'm getting to the "stink" part) I'm sure he won't mind me telling you that there were many years I wasn't sure he would even make it to adulthood. OR, more accurately...that I would be locked away by Child Protective Services and would never see his adulthood. Let's just say he was a bit of a "challenge". Lots and lots of stories here, but it started early with his imaginary friend...who apparently was the REAL culprit. Followed by a stint in Kindergarten when I got called to the school because he was so disruptive and they seriously worried about his future.
I was informed diplomatically by his teacher that my son's problems came from the fact that he was a... "Divergent Thinker", and this had to stop. WHAT??!!???!!!?? ANYTHING but THAT! Now, I have to admit I didn't have a name for my son's behavior other than "ARGHHHHHH". But the teacher went on to explain that my son's thought processes were not that of a "normal" child. For example...the sequence of discipline in the class was:
1. Warning
2. Head on Desk
3. Stand in the corner
Thing #1 would do something and get a warning. THEN, he would do something that merited putting his head on the desk. Before he would even get to his desk he would do a third violation ENROUTE. Why? Because he said it hurt to put his head on the desk and he would rather just go stand in the corner. It never occurred to him to just NOT misbehave. Welcome to my child rearing baptism by fire, and my early introduction to "Only her hairdresser knows for sure". It was a delicate balance on what to do here. Because even back then, as frustrating as his behavior was...I realized his "divergent thinking" was going to be what gave him success in life despite the angst it some times frequently caused.
So why the long story? Haha...because I realized years later he got that "Divergent Thinking" gene from moi, and not the Better Half whom I liked to blame when I didn't view it as a good thing. With moi, I just always referred to it as "thinking outside of the box", which is much less ominous sounding. This week's Project 52 prompt is "Drink Up". So why the photos of snow and the story? Because quite honestly, I just don't like to do the expected, it hurts to put my head on the desk.
I finally got a pretty snowfall yesterday. This has been the most bizarre winter around here...no snow. And it was the perfect snow we finally got. Beautiful on the ground, not a flake on the roads...and it was gone by 12 noon. Quite the tri-fecta. I really did drink up the beauty of the moment Mother Nature gave to me. Cheers!
Divergent thinkers unite!
--Kathy
Divergent thinkers unite!
--Kathy
Cheers, Kathy!!! Beautiful snowfall and wonderful images to "Drink-Up!" YES! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL... on your sons divergent behavior. I think in the long run, its something to be celebrated. Makes his "own" path in life and "dances to the beat of his own drum" too. Right on! :)
Happy Friday and enjoy all the WONDERFUL white stuff!!!! :)
The "Divergent Thinker" title can most definately be applied to my Boy...sure glad to hear that he's actually on a path towards law school ;) It might just keep me from crossing over into the welcoming warmth of nervous breakdowns...
ReplyDeleteAnd, I love your out-of-the-box views on life...cheers! (or, skål, as we say here :D)
Truly beautiful - love those branches against that blue sky. And I love the way you think, divergent or not :O))
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. We are enjoying snowy views here too - so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAhh yes, I have a divergent thinker of my own as well. I refere to him as my "spirited one". Not sure where his path will take him as he is only eight. I pray he will use his powers for good. :) Beautiful images as always Kathy. Happy Friday.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your story and your thoughts. I think divergent thinking is wonderful and agree with what Angie said that it should be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snowy pictures. those branches look so lovely with snow on them.Have a great weekend!
Ahhh, beautiful photos to drink up from one who does not get to experience the snowfall in all it's beauty.
ReplyDeleteAnd hmmm, I had one of those difficult children and I'm quite perplexed that I do not have gray hair! I put her in a once a week mother's day out (read, sanity)and when I would go pick her back up, they looked and sounded completely stressed, and would just say WOW she's intense. (she was 8 months old)! haha
But we know that every cloud has a silver lining....she is also an incredible outside the box thinker too, and when she was in 4th grade she returned a really big party invitation (long story). She was holding her ground and not allowing the girl drama to dictate her life. Some of that stubborness paid off!
Trying to finish mine . . . and I will have just the opposite for you to drink up! ; )
I think my brother's son is a divergent thinker too. I wish my bro and sis-in-law great health and safe travels as I'm "thing #1" should the worst happen.
ReplyDeleteThinking out of the box has served both of you well.
As for those snow shots-they are pretty and as it didn't mess up the roads and was melted by noon...I can handle that.
Happy day my friend.
Great shots, Kathy......cheers!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the photos and the collage! And here's to everything divergent ~ especially thinking! We're expecting snow tomorrow...I'm hoping for a snowy walk! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour story made me laugh! Rearing children is tough!
ReplyDeleteYay for divergent thinkers! those pictures are gorgeous and ting #1 is lucky to be a divergent thinker, they make the world a more interesting place!
ReplyDeleteDivergent thinkers unite! Your son will go far. We need more people who look at things a little differently. Your snow pictures are beautiful. They are sparkly and fresh. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteOh so pretty! I love your stories! Boo to the schools that expect child robots! As I was scrolling way down through all your beautiful pictures I was totally stumped at the one of your dog's nose (next to your shower). I thought it was an aerial view of a strange bald spot...I couldn't figure it out until I read your caption and then I was like... OF COURSE! A NOSE!!!
ReplyDeleteSo funny!
Love your blog and honesty :)
Those divergent children can be handfuls, but what wonderful adults they turn out to be. Great pics of your snowfall. It is snowing here right now, maybe an inch at most. Hopefully I will get some shots before it is gone.
ReplyDeleteCheers, beautiful snowfall pics! Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, I had to laugh. Our 21 year old was always the one with the messiest desk in kindergarten. The teacher couldn't understand why he wouldn't put things up. That hasn't change. I'm still praying my way through on him--day and night. Glad to see your son has learned to use his talent. Hope you have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove your post. I don't like to do what is expected either. I wasn't thrown off at all with where you wear going with this. I just enjoyed the ride - and the pictures. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat snowfall captures and post! Glad you "think out of the box", and so happy that both you and your son survived his early years of divergent thinking!
ReplyDeleteThis is so heartening to read. I have a 3 year old who is rather 'spitited' and i also wonder how he will make it to adulthood! This gives me some hope!
ReplyDeletexo em
Love your snow photos and really got a laugh out of that propensity your son had for "divergent thinking". Sounds pretty bright to me. Much funnier when they are grown looking back. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the snow!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these wonderful images of snow.
ReplyDeleteKeep thinking outside the square, it makes life more interesting.
beautiful snow shots. it sounds like you got the beauty of the storm but didn't have to deal with the mess.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Love the story about your son and love your perspective on *Drink Up*!!! Beautiful photos! :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be a very boring world if we all thought the same way and pretty snow never came.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful woman, parent and photographer.
What gorgeous photos. Never get to see much snow here in the desert.
ReplyDeleteReading your story about your son reminds me of when I was a pre-school teacher and this one little boy would get up during circle time and put himself into time out. I used to tell the other teachers he was the smart one.. I don't like to sit here that long either..
Always love reading your post..
Hugs, Linda
Beautiful shots of all that snow - I simply love winter branches.
ReplyDeleteMy son is going through a difficult phase at the moment, he's always been high maintenance but intelligent. Sometimes I think the school system punishes them for being independent thinkers, just what will help them achieve in the long run, and they try to beat it out of them.
ReplyDeleteGlad your son's doing well now, gives me hope! Love these snowy photos!
Pretty shots!
ReplyDelete