Meet Ben

Let me tell you about my Benjamin.  Benjamin Robert, age 6.  Also answers to Ben, Benny, Benji, Benji Bob, B-bob.  I have to get creative with the nicknames because that boy DOES NOT hear me when I call him the first ten times.  I could dance a jig in front of him and he still wouldn't look up.  He is a loner by nature, always lost in his own world.  He likes to go play in his room by himself, making up whatever Ninjago/Hotwheels/Spiderman adventures he can think of.

When he played soccer, he would always take position at the end of the field, off by himself, or purposely go to the end of the line during drills.  Maybe he's shy, but I think it's more that he wants to do things on his own terms without being bothered by the other kids.  That's just the way Ben is.  His kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Shelnutt, (who we loved!) said that he was the same way in school.  Sometimes playing with the other kids, but more often choosing to do something by himself.   Mrs. Shelnutt also awarded him Student of the Month, the very first month of school and gave us nothing but praise for how hard he works, and how smart he is, and generally we got the idea that he was her favorite.  Please don't tell the other parents, I don't want them to feel bad!  Did I mention yet that we loved Mrs. Shelnutt?  You can't help but love a teacher that appreciates your child and recognizes your awesome parenting skills.

 

Contrast that with the boy we know at home.  Benjamin is more stubborn than a mule.  Some children you can reason with, bribe, plead with, convince, or atleast pick-up and drag.  Not Ben.  When he digs in his heels, it's all over.  He can thow a tantrum like you've never seen.  The screaming, crying, kicking is over the top.  And that boy is STRONG.  It takes two nurses and myself to hold him down to get his shots.  He can be so picky and particular about how he wants things, and when it doesn't go his way, watch out!  Case in point:  we were at the store today and I bought Ben a slice of pizza.  Ben wanted parmesan cheese for his pizza.  There wasn't any.  We sat down, I passed out the food and Ben is still upset about the cheese.  He gets so mad, and starts crying and yelling.  This goes on a few minutes and I know he's not going to let it go.  (Public humiliation is common in parenthood, I've learned.)  So I cut my losses, pack up all the food, and drag the kids back to the car.  I didn't get to do my grocery shopping, and I don't know what we'll be having for dinner, but that's life with Ben.

With Ben, the good outweighs the bad and while I prefer to do errands without him, I wouldn't want to change him.  Things I love about Ben:  his smile.  His hugs.  (best hugs ever!)  The way he lives life all the way in.  When he's happy, his face beams joy, and when he's mad, the devil would cower in fear.  He doesn't care what anybody else thinks.  He kills bugs for Mommy.  He loves to help and is a loyal (if annoying) brother to his siblings.  He is independent, brave, smart, funny, silly, and energetic.  I love that boy so much.  Now you know my Ben.