/**/
8/10/2009

Another Discovery About Asbergers

We are, as millions are, all over the country, getting ready to send #3 Son off to college. Because he's going to be living on campus, there are accoutrement that need accompany him on his journey through his freshman (and hopefully sophomore, junior and senior) year. The list is extensive, but in this case, we are speaking of a refrigerator and microwave for his dorm room.

SWMBO and I were on our way to Best Buy to acquire those things for him and we thought it might be nice of #3 accompanied us.

SWMBO called him on his cell, discovering, when she did, that he was at a friend's house, watching a movie. She was told, in so many words, that he didn't want to leave, at the moment. That we could take care of it for him.

SWMBO was not pleased.

Because the cell connection wasn't all that good and the conversation between them included a lot of "What?" and "You're in a bad spot" and "Say that again, please?", SWMBO texted him the following message: "Once again I take care of something you need without any help or input from you". (she likes verbose text messages - no shortcuts for SWMBO)

His response was "Thank you."

She looked at me and said, "Apparently, he doesn't understand guilt, either."

26 comments:

Shadow said...

mmmmm, she's a good mom then. not sure i would've gone out and done them things for him at that particular moment.....

witchypoo said...

What? She hasn't learned not to interrupt an Aspie's movie? He HAS to watch it to the end, credits and all.

moneythoughts said...

No comment about the buying trip; however, I wish your son a safe, healthy, happy and productive freshman year. I was a freshman 49 years ago, and while I lived at home and went to a city owned university, UC, I was excited and a little scared all at the same time.

Unknown said...

At least he had manners and said "thank you".

Jientje said...

But I'm sure he appreciates what you do for him, no? He's a good kid, he just thinks differently.

He said "thank you", didn't he?

Wait. What? said...

Ah your wife is so good - I think I would have gone and picked him up or not gotten what he needed without draggining him along...

Audrey at Barking Mad! said...

We just survived Meg's freshman year. It wasn't without it's hurdles and pitfalls, but overall, it was a good experience. She's putting off the rest of her college education and doing a 4 year stint in the USAF. *sigh*

Had I been the mama here, I probably would have overreacted and dragged his butt with us. Your wife has the patience of a Saint.

Nicole said...

This just made me giggle, thank you ;)

Vikki North said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vikki North said...

To funny. I think #3 son is brillant. I'm going to try the 'Thank you' when someone imposed the guilt card on me.
You really gave me a chuckle.
Vikki

Julie said...

Yeah. Kids are so dang much fun sometimes, aren't they? Zach (our oldest) has the same bank as we do, and he arranged for his bank account to show up on our internet banking page, with our accounts, so that we can transfer money to his account much more easily...Woo.

Loraine said...

I like verbose text messages, too. Guilt trips never work on kids. I just let them go without until they suddenly realize that they DO need my help, and then they can act all sheepish while I say "Oh, yeah. You needed something?"

Tara R. said...

So glad it's not just my kid that does that. His superpower is guilt Teflon. Won't stick for anything.

Joyce-Anne said...

Hey, blogger ate my comment! I said, from my understanding of Aspies things are either black or white.

Anonymous said...

bwaahahahhaahahha.

wait. that's not supposed to be funny is it? my bad. ;)

in all seriousness, you guys are nice. i KNOW my parents wouldn't have went out and bought any of it if I had reacted that way. then again, being a teen, isn't that normal?

;)

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I asked my eldest if he would ever learn to butter his own toast. He told me he tried once and it was too mushy and melty (Aaaahhh! Textures!!). I then explained that he would never know how to do it unless he tried more than once. I asked him how he would eat toast as an adult. His answer?

He won't.

Unknown said...

Shadow: She's an excellent Mom - and getting to be something of a softie, I think.

Witchypoo: And he does. To the bitter end.

Moneythoughts: He is, too. Fred. Not that he'd admit it.

Hyphen Mama: He knows better.

Jientje: Yes, he is a good kid.

Cat: She was tempted - but she had a coupon that expired on Sunday - so it HAD to be done.

Audrey: Funny - #3 has decided to do AFROTC in order to fund his schooling.

Nicole: You're welcome. hee, hee.

Redchair: It's just that he has no idea how witty that was.

Julie: Now THERE'S a smart kid.

Loraine: We would have held out, normally - but there was that coupon.

Tara R: No. Not just yours.

Joyce-Anne: Absolutely correct.

Heather: But we had a COUPON!! That's the only reason.

Tracey: Awww. Toast is ALWAYS better when Mom butters it.

Holly said...

Or maybe he understands guilt but doesn't want to let on!

Does it get easier letting children go the more children/times you do it?

Suzanne said...

We parents of Aspies tend to do everything, without thanks. An aspie will do what they want to do, when they want to do it. If the chore in question doesn't appeal, the Aspie makes a stubborn mule seem compliant.

Mrs4444 said...

Ah, Aspergers. And I thought sarcasm was over their heads! :)

Wendy said...

Sounds like a normal going-off-to-college-kid to me! :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

Thank you in place of the guilt card, what an interesting concept.
Unfortunately at his age he doesn't get how much his parents actually do for him. He will, they always do...we did(At least my daughter got it. Took marriage to a soldier to get it...still. (Hugs)Indigo

Momisodes said...

Are you sure it's not just a GUY THING? :D

I joke.

SWMBO is such a sweetheart.

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I probably would have still purchased said fridge, then dumped it (literally!) in his lap. :)

Kids. What are you gonna do, right?

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I'm sure this wasn't funny at the time... and it may not be funny still.

But the way you told the story made me LAUGH!

Zoeyjane said...

Okay, that made me laugh out loud. And then wonder how many times I could get away with simply saying Thank You.