Monday, June 30, 2008

Working/Happiness/Etc.

Apparently our son with RAD is not going to get hired at Burger King. He applied a while back and made it through the first interview. He came out using his charming and endearing characteristics....except that he was doing them at a much younger level. I assume that means he did it during his interview as well which would have made him appear very immature. Well, he is, but it would have made it worse.

I took him to the psychiatrist last week and she gave me a brilliant suggestion. She suggests we go to a nursing home and have him apply to work in the kitchen or clean. She said kids like him generally do well in this environment because they receive a lot of praise and attention from the residents. So today that is where he is going to apply. I can see he would love that if he can just get on there.

I recently finished reading Letters to a Young Therapist. Excellent book. In this book the seasoned therapist has written letters to a graduate student over a year and then published them. She said she gives her depressed clients 3 things they need to try to do each day. The first is to exercise. Exercise causes our bodies to raise its endorphin level which provides a feeling of well being. Think of the runner's high. The second is to do something nice for someone each day. "It is better to give then to receive." And the third is to spend some time outside each day. She felt that breathing fresh air and enjoying God's creation is important to happiness. We can assist our kids in all 3 of these activities. Sure it is not going to turn someone who is depressed into a bouncing happy child but it will improve their mood therefore improving their life. We are working on this! Have a healing day!

4 comments:

Karen Deborah said...

That's a great idea! My first job was as a nurse aide in a convalescent hospital. I fell in love with those old people. Your nose has to adjust, but then when you are part of helping make things better, that falls by the wayside. I hope it works out for him.

Emiley said...

I don't have the RAD struggles with any of my kids, but I always find good advice from you, Brenda. I'm trying to get back in to the habit of exercise, so I'm doing pretty well there. Doing a good deed and getting outside some each day are simple enough goals...for me and my kids!

Awhile back, we started making goals for ourselves for each day based on Luke 12:25 (I THINK that's the right reference) where it says that "Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man". This kind of fits with that! Thanks. :-)

Anonymous said...

When my children were small I broke my back in an accident. The year afterward was very tough and looking back on it now... I was very depressed. We only had one car when our daughter started kindergarten, so I had to get up and dressed and then feed and dress all three kids so we could walk her to school. That brought me out of the depression naturally. There is something about being outside and moving that is so good for you. In fact, I think I am going to go outside right now!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for coming to visit me. : ) I'm making the rounds to see everyone in their special place. I just LOVE your post for today -- so encouraging whether you have RAD touching your life or not. We face the autistic challenge every day -- God's well never dries up (and I oughta know because I go back for refills many times a day). I'll keep you in my prayers. Can't wait to hear what God has in store for your son(s).