word of the week

Word Of The Week – Goodbye

This week our word of the week is

goodbye

and our little superstar has been quite emotional about it all.

I feel we have let Ethan down a bit with his school transition as we haven’t really sat down and ‘talked’ about what is going to happen. I’m sure with a ‘neurotypical’ child you would talk about starting school in passing and you would know their level of understanding. I’m sure they would also ask questions and you would be able to answer them. This is where we have failed.

Of course we have talked about starting school with Ethan but we have no idea if he understands what we are saying to him. He has had his trial days and we made sure he wore his uniform hoping that he will visually make the connection. He knows the name of his school and he vocalises it back. But could we have done more?

So this was our week to start saying our goodbyes to Ethan’s normal day-to-day routine. It started with an unexpected goodbye at BounceAbility, an activity that Ethan has taken part in for well over a year now. When we arrived and we told Ethan it was his time to go on the trampoline he just repeatedly said NO. It even brought him to tears. So even though Ethan had one more appointment next week we decided it was time we call it a day. We have no idea what unnerved him and can only think he knows that a change is happening and it has unnerved him.

On Wednesday it was Ethan’s last day at nursery, a place that he has gone to since he was just under two and a half. This means it has been part of his routine for half of his life!

They had arranged a leaving circle for Ethan and we were asked to come in fifteen minutes before leaving time. As soon as we got there Even kept saying BYE and ended up in tears whilst all of his classmates sang his favorite songs for him. Ethan could have cried for many reasons, possibly because we didn’t leave like he expected, because he knew it was his last day or it was just too overwhelming for him. I felt sorry for his key workers but you always have to expect the unexpected with Ethan.

After the goodbyes it’s time to move on to Ethan’s next big adventure…

The Reading Residence

 

18 thoughts on “Word Of The Week – Goodbye”

  1. Ah that must be so hard saying goodbyes especially if routine is so important for Ethan – really hope he settles well at his new school and that the new routine will become the norm for him very quickly.

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      He really is a routine boy, more that we ever gave him credit for. I’m keeping everything crossed that it all goes OK x

  2. Dean of Little Steps

    Another adventure, how fun! Though of course, it may be tough on Ethan for awhile… but then the thing with kids is that they are just so resilient, aren’t they? #wotw.

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      I think its going to be a shock to the system for all of us but it’s what we all need to move forward.

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      It was, I’m impressed that I was able to keep it together. I was expecting to breakdown to ;0) x

  3. Sounds like an emotional week for all of you. I think it’s so hard to prepare for big changes like this. I do hope Ethan enjoys his next big adventure and the change isn’t too distressing for him x Thanks for sharing with #WotW

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      I think he is ready for the change, more so than he was in September. Its a very exciting and scary time for us all x

  4. Aww bless him. It is hard for both parents and children. Sir is going away on a school trip in May and although I know he’ll love it when he gets there I can’t help feeling guilty that I’m packing him off without really consulting him. I have spoken to him about and he just says “Nooo” but then he says that to everything… so we’ll see!
    I’m sure Ethan will get used to his new routine in time 🙂

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      We always get No too, but it’s better than when we didn’t get any answer at all. I do feel we don’t prepare Ethan as much as we should. This non-verbal thing is really hard! I hope the trip goes well for you x

  5. Oh this post has brought tears to my eyes. It’s always hard watching our children say goodbye to things that have been so fundamental in their lives, and the change is also hard for us too at times. I’m sure you have some great memories & will make many more in the future
    #WOTW

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      It is a sad change but it is also a very positive change for Ethan. Very mixed emotions for us all x

  6. aww little man. Change is hard for all of us, so much harder for him. I hope the rest of his transitions go well. He seems to be coping extremely well given the enormity of it.

    He’s turning into one handsome little chap.

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      Thank you, he is doing really well, the first day of school will be the real test for us all x

    1. Jane - Our Little Escapades

      It will be a good change for him. He will be at a place that will bring out the best in him and we are very excited about that x

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