brother time

We had a few lazy days after we got back from vacation.  Nobody wanted to do much of anything, so we just hung out at the house.  The problem with hanging out at the house instead of say going to the pool is that Bob doesn't always get his "playing" outlet.  When he is at the pool, he plays with the kids who are there.  They play Four Square or kick board ball (similar to wiffle ball) or swim, of course!

When we are at home, Bob tries so hard to get SJ to play with him.  Whether it is basketball, soccer, wiffle ball or kick ball, Bob is always encouraging SJ to come out and play with him.  However, SJ will resist and begrudgingly stay outside for a few minutes.  Then, he will tell Bob that he is "too tired" to stay outside and comes back in the house.  This makes Bob very sad and he frequently says out loud that he wishes SJ was "normal".  (I hate that term, but Bob is allowed to vent!)

To alleviate some of Bob's sadness and to encourage SJ's social interactions, I have started "Brother Time".  I require SJ to spend a minimum of three 15 minute periods each day.  (If he spends more than 15 minutes with Bob, than that is just a bonus!)  It doesn't matter what they do together.  They can play video games, play outside, do Legos or play a board game.  As long as they are spending time together, it counts as "Brother Time". 

Bob has been so good with SJ his whole life.  I owe much of SJ's progress to Bob's constant role-modeling of typical behavior.  This is why I wanted to do something for Bob.  I felt he needed to be rewarded for always trying so hard to have a typical relationship with his non-typical brother.  And while SJ is still very frustrating at times to Bob (as any brother would be), I can see a genuine love between them.  Thanks Bob!