Fun is No Longer Fun
I’m learning that, when you are the parent of a wounded child, fun isn’t usually fun anymore. At the very least, fun outings become a great source of anxiety for wounded children. My still-angry child who missed the trip to the pool tries so hard to sabotage any fun due to his anxiety. Fun is just too much for him to handle. I find that, even in the midst of fun, wounded children are still wounded. Most days for us include “therapy.” I can’t seem to get away from it, even when we are supposed to be having fun. Moment by moment, these children are dealing with emotions much to big for them to deal with on their own. So, in the midst of a pool party, I am helping a child work through her anger and jealousy. It is just a normal part of my everyday life to have to say many times throughout the day, “What are you mad about now?” or “Use your words.”
