llywela: (SN-stillsearching)
llywela ([personal profile] llywela) wrote2008-07-02 08:18 am
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I have to keep chasing that 3-legged cat Ludoh away from the flat. It's nice that he wants to make friends, but he really intimidates Poppy, and I can't have him muscling in on her turf and making her uncomfortable in her own home - bad enough that he keeps cornering her in the car park. I've never seen him attack her in any way, but he does chase her at times, and also has a bad habit of just sitting around, close enough that she won't move from wherever she is hiding until he is gone. *sigh* These territorial animals, huh!

It was my parents' wedding anniversary yesterday, 36 years, so I took them and Small out for a meal. Unfortunately, what should have been a pleasant, celebratory occasion was rather dampened by the fact that Small had got herself into a lot of trouble for mitching off school and was still very wound up about being in trouble. She just...doesn't understand why it is such a big deal, and nothing anyone says seems to sink in. Apparently, Small and another girl had decided to mitch off class together and managed to get out of the school grounds. A massive search was launched for them, but when the teachers spotted them out in the street, Small actually ran away from them. She got into huge trouble, is on detention every break time from now until the end of term, and has to have a member of staff escorting her around at all times. They would consider suspension if they thought she would consider it a punishment, but she wouldn't. She'd just be glad to have the time off. And she doesn't understand that what she did wrong - she knows it was against the rules and that everyone is angry with her for it, but she doesn't understand any of the reasoning. She just didn't want to go to class, so she decided not to, because she can only see things from her own point of view - there is no empathy there at all for anyone else. She can't see all the ways in which it was wrong and caused a lot of stress and worry for other people. Getting into trouble just made her angry and belligerent, and she completely failed to see why a reluctant and unwilling apology failed to instantly restore harmony. I could go on to explain in greater depth, but...it wearies me just thinking how to try to put all her little quirks and challenging behaviours into words. Suffice it to say, she is very hard work at times. My poor Mum is so exhausted.

In other news, the fifth series of New Tricks starts up next Monday. Yay! Probably hardly anyone on my f-list knows what that is, and I haven't seen every episode of the previous four seasons, but I really love the show. It is made by the BBC and is about a female police superintendent who works on cold cases with the help - and sometimes hindrance - of three retired coppers. It is quirky and funny and touching, and has an amazing cast and fabulous character dynamics, and I'm really looking forward to the new series. Especially since everything else I watch will be on hiatus after Doctor Who finishes this weekend!

[identity profile] bagpuss1966.livejournal.com 2008-07-02 09:46 am (UTC)(link)
It must be very hard for your parents, and at the same time, very confusing for Small. :(

I *cannot wait* for New Tricks. I'm unbelievably excited about it!! :D

[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2008-07-02 10:38 am (UTC)(link)
It is just so hard to talk to her about issues like this. She gets so worked up. You'll be trying to explain to her why she mustn't do it again, but she won't listen because she's too busy being agitated.
"I said I'm sorry, why are you still cross? It's over now."
"Yes, I'm glad you're sorry, but I need to know that you understand why you mustn't..."
"No, you're still angry. Why are you still angry? You have to be happy now, it's over. Say that you're happy. It's over now, isn't it? It's all over, so you're happy."

And she isn't really sorry about what she did. She's sorry that she was caught and that she got into trouble, and just wants to go through the motions of saying what we want to hear so she can forget it ever happened, and shuts down all attempt at conversation by misunderstanding, getting agitated and shouting. She is very hard work.

New Tricks is fabulous. I'm looking forward to it so much.