I quit.
A note from a momma of a teenage daughter on the spectrum.
I quit.
Scottie is moody.
Doesn’t express her feelings and thoughts very well.
She stomps her feet.
Throws a fit.
Rolls her eyes.
Doesn’t obey.
She is demanding.
Get my breakfast.
Get me a drink.
Take me for a ride.
Don’t touch that pillow.
Stop talking.
You are too loud.
Oh the list just goes on and on.
She selfishly wants 3 meals a day plus snacks. Ridiculous!
She wants a to-do list for the day placed on the counter every single morning, so she can cross items off.
She incessantly invites me to help her complete a puzzle. EVERY SINGLE DAY!
She is irate when we move a couch pillow or place the remote control in a different spot.
She argues with her little sister.
She lurks nearby when I am on my phone because she wants to use my phone. Standing there, fidgeting, looking at me and the phone until I cave and hand it to her. - anything to make the lurking end.
She hovers near dad when he gets home waiting for her ride around the neighborhood, the quick stop at the colmado to get her juice, and daily visit to the puppies. He just wants to sit down for 10 minutes, yet she impatiently hovers.
Her table manners have become worse. Horrendous. Why can you not eat with your mouth close?
I am at her beck and call. 24/7. Just a whole lot of Scottie.
Today, it seems to be too much. I quit.
Today, I need a break. I quit.
Today, I am 100% sure that I am not equipped to do this job. I quit.
Today, I feel selfish. I quit
Today, I am tired of the noise. I quit.
But tomorrow, I will wake up and begin again. I will un-quit. I will try again and remember that she is a teenager with extra challenges. The eye rolling is an age appropriate response, so we should celebrate! She is doing the best she can, and I am also doing the best I can. I will give her grace as she struggles with her OCD and anxiety. I will extend grace to her little sister, her dad, and me. And if by some chance I end the day quitting, it is fine because the next day is a new day for un-quitting.