Eating Out with RAD

When I eat out with my boys alone it such an odd experience. When the whole family is together they are busy with each other. But when it is just me and them it is too close, too intimate for their comfort. They turn side ways in their chairs and face out word and avoid any contact. They turn around and look at the people behind them or read things on the walls. They do anything but acknowledge that I am there. I have played with the whole thing to see if I am imagining it. If I allow them they do not look at me or say a word to me the entire meal but turn a different direction the entire meal. I've eaten with the other kids alone to see if it is just a kid thing. Nope. They all sat and talked with me, discussed the food, talked about what they have been doing with friends. Normal kid stuff.

So here's what we do....Ask questions about what they are eating, their day or what they'd like to do. Tell them a story from when I was a child. Talk about something they are looking at and show I am interested too. The important thing is just reconnecting without nagging or scolding. Find ways of gently bringing them back in. RAD creeps up about anywhere doesn't it? I hope you all had a great 4th. We are still dealing with the missing money and trying to do it in a loving and yet firm way. Never, never, never quit.