My youngest son didn't start talking until he was three. He would just grunt. When he did start talking, even his own mother couldn't always understand him and I, his mother, understood him better than most. After several years of speech therapy, I am so pleased at how well he is doing and the big words he is using.
A year ago Parker wasn't even potty-trained, he was 5. (Trust me, we tried everything.) I didn't even think I would send him to Kindergarten because of it....somehow Parker was pee-trained before school started. We sent him to school without being completely poop-trained on a wing and a prayer. Somehow..somehow...it worked out with very little accidents.
Over a year ago, we gave him his brother's old bike with training wheels. He was not interested in it at all, preferring his trike. This spring, his dad taught him how to ride that bike without training wheels. I am still amazed when I see him riding past like a professional.
A year ago, I was going to teach him how to swim. My other 2 children learned to swim at a young age and I was ready to not have to worry about him around water, however he would not put his face in the water. Last Sunday, my husband took the kids over to a friend's house, and as Kirk and our friend were sitting down conversing, Parker stepped into the pool and just started swimming with no floaties!
Yesterday he graduated from Kindergarten. He got 100% on his math benchmark for Kindergarteners and he got the "Avid Math-er Award". I am overwhelmed at the changes in him in just a year. I can't help but remember how frustrated he has made us these past few years. Yet, why did we worry?
You may have a "Parker" too. He may not be doing what the average child his age is suppose to be doing. You may be getting lots of advice on how to correct his behavior. Take heart, even though he may require more patience, he is an individual. He may need individualized parenting, a little extra prayer, but it will be okay. If you have a "Parker", I feel your pain. Let me know because we may need to set up a support group! God bless the "Parkers" of the world!
