Common Sense....

The week before school let out for Christmas break one of Alex's words was common sense. Yes, I know it's technically TWO words but I really need this boy to understand what common sense is and perhaps find a little more? 

Seriously.

Here are just some of the issues:
It gets dark about 5 o'clock right now, Alex is often just beginning his homework or reading and he will NEVER turn on a light. He'll just sit in the dusky light and squints at his book or paper. I've talked to him about this numerous times. I've tried to be sympathetic to his upbringing as he's explained that they didn't turn the lights on after a certain hour of day and they often played in the dark but as I understand it, this was BEDTIME not studying time. I'm also sympathetic to the lighting in an orphanage and that perhaps he's just very use to dim, poor light? But enough is enough! I've talked with him about the damage he's doing to his eyes. But regardless, he sits in the dark, squinting and struggling to see. And so every day or at least every other we address reading and writing in the dark.

Common sense would be welcome in this instance.

He doesn't wear a coat. He leaves for places coat-less. Then complains he's cold. Well.....duh!

Common sense would help you figure this one out!

He cannot figure out how to pull his sheets up when he makes his bed. We've gone over it about a bazillion times. Takes about ten more seconds to make the bed with smooth, straight sheets and being the OCD parent that I am, I guarantee that I catch 95% of the time the lack of this simple, small step when I walk by his room - which one HAS to walk by to get to any other room in the house. I've called him on it every time. Made him re-make his bed. Every. Time. Still, I bet you that tomorrow this small, simple step will be over looked.

Common sense would certainly help in this regard.
I could go on but I won't. Just know, that these are just the tip of the iceberg. It effects him in so many ways and sometimes it's heart wrenching for not only him but me. Our biggest common sense issues probably deal with school work and consequences. Things most children figure out at age 5 and 6, we are tackling at the sensitive pre-pubescent age of 12 and 1/2!

Tonight Devree was asking me if I was a small dog would I get out of the way of people? (Because our dog does not!) I explained that Ella does not have any common sense. To which Alex pipped in from the other room! "I hate that word!"  I know Alex,  because you are in need of it in so many instances!!

(Sigh)