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!

Ripping Ism

As you've seen in my recent posts, ripping has been taking place in our lives.  First, it seemed that we had found a new way to occupy and calm the Remy boy by giving him lots of paper to shred.  Now, it's become a little out of control...

It's reached the point where I would run to the area where I hear him babble and rip something.  "Did I put the receipts away?"  I would ask myself.  I'd run to the ripping sound and let out a sigh of relief as I see him ripping scrap paper or napkins (I don't know how or where he finds these as we use reusable cloth).

Ripping is not confined to the Playroom.  Remy will rip anything!  So far, the most interesting this is paper as it is plentiful, but he enjoys experimenting with different textures, colours and sizes.  Aside from standard paper, he will also rip leaves from plants (house plants, tree leaves, raspberry leaves, etc.), pages from books, envelops, paper bags, tissues, bathroom tissue, receipts, his sister's crafts, calendars, notes, cardboard boxes - just name it!

So, what's the problem?  He's happy and content ripping away.  Well, it's just a little tricky and sometimes a little frustrating keeping up with all the shreds on tables, chairs and on the floor.  Aside from our time invested in cleaning up our home environment, it also costs money to replace books and toilet paper so frequently.

DH asked me, "how do we make him stop ripping?"  My reply was that we simply couldn't make anyone do anything.  All we can do is to set up an environment that is less conducive to ripping.  It's not Remy's fault that he rips.  I believe that, and this believe is supported by OTs we have seen, his ripping serves a purpose in helping him develop dexterity in his fingers.  He's learning whatever needs - to us this just might seem like a long time as we keep having to sweep up his paper trails.

Could this ism be serving any other purpose?  It keeps him focused.  DH asked if this ism has just become a force of habit.  It definitely could be that way.  He's just used to doing it.

For now, the only resolution we have come up with is keep all important documents stowed safely away, try to place rippables (I just coined that word) out of sight and reach while believing my child is doing the best that he can - and also to just spend time with him instead of cleaning up while he's ripping - although, he helps too.

Nice Ripped up flowers - it's kind of artsy.

Please leave me your comments.  Thanks for coming by!  Enjoy your day,

Ripping in the Play Room

Ripping as a Therapy

Remy started ripping paper in our bedroom a few weeks ago.  DH was busy doing something, and Remy seemed to stay quiet and occupied by ripping scrap paper (it was for them to draw on), so he allowed it.  As the days passed, Remy continued to rip paper.  It kept him focused and still :)  

More recently this week, Remy started ripping leaves as well:  my lettuce, raspberry leaves, lily leaves, and other leaves he could find outside.  This gave me the idea to actually have him rip different types paper for texture, sound and feelings.  As you'll see in the following photos, he quite enjoyed it... I did also!  It was SO much FUN... it's like a Fall day of dry leaves on the ground waiting to be thrown in the air, jumped into and enjoyed ;)  

On top of the fun, we also got some vocabulary and some verbal attempts:  "fly, throw, rip, up, shred, tear".  

Thank goodness, he also loved cleaning up, and putting the shredded paper into the recycling!

Enjoy your weekend,