A Night Out For Us =Protest

Nothing has changed in the regard that C does not want me to leave her. It is fine for her to go to her church group and leave me, but the other way around creates a fit most times. Last night was no exception. WE didn't have a date night the week before as we normally did and advanced notice to our date last night was given earlier in the week. It didn't matter. She stormed up stairs and Nana and Papa arrived asking when "will it be my time". I couldn't resist and told her that the last many days were all about "her time". She stormed up stairs, wrote a note to keep out, and then hid in her closet.

This time I minimized the behavior. I knocked and Dad and I went in. WE told her that we loved her and that we would be back soon. Asked if she wanted to give us hugs. She barely hugged us but did do it. We went down stairs. As she often does in this state of mind, she began slamming things around in her room. J went up stairs and told her that it was time to make a choice. We were leaving and she could either stay in her room and suffer the consequences of that choice, or she could go be pleasant and have fun with her grandparents. We told Nana how to deal with a negative choice and left. She snapped out of it as soon as we left. She just wanted to be sure that I knew she was not happy about it and she wanted to see if she could control me in getting me to stay.

Nana and Papa said she had a blast with them last night. She did Papa's hair all up in clips which I am sure was a sight to see. They wrestled and played with their new Christmas toys. C always says that she never has fun when Nana and Papa stay here for us to go out but I know it isn't true. It is more trying to get me to stay.

Today we played Rock Band for about an hour as a family. She cried several times when she didn't do well. She really over values her failures. I hope, with time, we can get her to see that it is JUST A GAME. Again, we minimized the behavior and she is doing fine now. Dad made mention of the fact that she doesn't want to join in new clubs or games because of fear of failure and having to figure out how to make friends there, too. It is sad. She has so much potential and sells herself short.

Christmas was interesting... she did well but would go upstairs at times to just get away from the people. She knew the people (all but J's sister and her kids) and yet still pulled away at times. I let her. I wanted her to have a fun holiday but at times, it was awkward to explain to people that she just wanted to "watch tv" which was not at all what was really going on. She did play LIFE with one Grandma and aunt and of course ate with us and opened gifts. I think she had a lot going on emotionally and it was a lot to take in. She loved her gifts from us and felt very spoiled. She was overjoyed with the family time with just us and the tots and kept asking when we would have more time like that.

We are going to my mom's house tonight. We won't stay long with church tomorrow. It should be fun though since my neices will be there and she enjoys them very much.

We feel so blessed to have her in the family this Christmas. I am anxious for our meeting on Monday with CPS, aunt and uncle, and Ms. B... ready to see where that chapter is going to end, or should I say, begin.