Getting an Early Start

[selenite0]

Raising an autistic kid has all sorts of interesting moments. Brendan had been curious about shaving the other day so I explained that in about eight years he'd need to but until then he couldn't.

Tonight I went into the bathroom to check on whether he'd finished brushing his teeth. I noticed a bit of blood coming from his lip. Given how he'll bounce around the room I wouldn't be the least surprised if he'd whacked his face into the tub rim and split his lip. I asked him what happened. "I was pretending to shave." What? Turns out he'd gotten Laura's razor (from a shelf over his head height) and taken it to his face.

A greatly concerned Laura arrived then because she'd heard me say "What happened?" and then silence. This was because I was facing the wall trying to keep quiet while I got the smirk off my face. It was very minor damage (otherwise I wouldn't've been laughing) and a bit of tissue paper to the face got the bleeding under control. It actually worked out well for story time--he had something to do with his hands so he could sit still and listen to the story. So now he's in bed after a lecture on how razors are Absolutely Off Limits.

I must remember this for when Jamie starts asking about shaving. First the warnings, then "wait 'till you're older."

Comments

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

Smirk? Hmph. There I was, trying to deliver a lecture on how he should absolutely NOT touch razors, and you were there having badly-suppressed giggle fits.

Some help you were. :-P

[tygerr.livejournal.com]

A suggestion--which might not work for Brendan in light of his autism, but probably will for Jamie. (It worked for me when I was little, and for my kids when they were little, at least.)

Provide a bladeless razor to be HIS. In order to make sure he *only* uses his own play-razor, of course, you will still want to go ahead with the warnings about *grownup* razors, and any required reminders about other people's property.

It's the same basic logic as plastic "tool sets" and toy ovens: kids WILL copy grownup behavior. You can't stop it. Might as well give them a parentally-approved option that makes it as safe as possible.

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

Oh, I sympathize with Brendan! When I was a kid, I lived w/ mom and my grandparents. Mom shaved her legs in the bathroom w/ the door shut, so as far as I knew, razors were what Grandpa used--I saw him shave every day. Well, I was Grandpa's girl, and I wanted to be just like him, so...you see where this is going. The cuts on my chin healed eventually.

Second the Tigger's suggestion with a caveat.

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

I think it can help, especially if they're old enough for imaginative play as they do so love having their own.

But, well, haven't you noticed how they still prefer your whatsit. BunnyBright(TM) has her own key ring, cordless telephone and remote (batteries removed from non-functional ones) and she does seem to appreciate the difference.