Ripping Ism: Free House Plants

DH and I recently took the kids on "vacation" to visit family.  How naive to think that I was going to get some quiet time to file my nails and write a postcard to a friend.

During our "vacation", Remy's ripping ism escalated.  He became very protective about his obsessive compulsive behaviour to the point of ripping public and private plants within reach.  He was physically restrained by adults to stop this behaviour only to be answered with a loud whine or cry of unhappiness.

Somehow got a hold of "hidden" toilet paper

Since we've returned home in the last few days, we've also tried to put away all papers, paper bags (anything he could rip) out of sight.  Of course this is rather difficult as the little guy is very intelligent.  He ripped out the sticker part of some magnets so that he could rip them.  He also found business cards, brochures that we had on the fridges, photos and of course plants to rip.

Now, we really love our plants.  They're like pets to up, part of the family.  So, what do you do when your son compulsively climbs up the kitchen counter to rip leaves of the vine of a hanging plant?  Well, DH said that he was ready to let go.  Some of the plants we had had for years, some I propagated from seed (which took several months).  "Kim, just take them outside."  He was right.  At least if our plants were no longer in our house, they wouldn't be threatened with sudden shred.

Dressing up our beautiful plants

This gave me an idea.  I took Little Sister downstairs to make a donation box, and I put some string on some Remy's Room cards.  This was an opportunity to spread awareness about our Son-Rise Program to help our son.  DH said that we should just give away the plants, and I didn't argue with that.  My purpose of the donation box was to give people the chance to help if they wished.  In my experience, people really want to help others, so I wanted to make it possible.
 I spoke to the plants, thanked them for being with us for so long and blessed them.  It was now their turn to attract their new owners who would care for them and enjoy them.  Three of these plants were avocado trees that I had propagated from pits of organic avocados, which took months to sprout.

It was a relief to see these plants be picked up by caring passersby (whom I had never met before).  It was a similar feeling when we had to give away our cats because Remy was too rough with them; we just wanted our plants to go to a loving place where they would be safe and taken care of.

Awaiting new homes

I just went upstairs to collect the remaining plants since it's dark now, but DH had already done so.  The remaining plants are on the curb still awaiting their new owners to pick them up.  But DH decided to take the donation box back in.  To our delight (and surprise), there was $17.09 of OPTIONAL donations.  I feel great gratitude and reassurance in my heart that people are loving and want to help.

Thank you for your Optional Donations!

Tomorrow, as it is the day after Labour Day, is a new day - the start of a new routine for our Son-Rise Program®.  Thank you all for your support.  May you enjoy this beautiful day!