The Writings on the Wall

I suppose it must be a "rite of passage" of sorts for all preschoolers.  I know I did it, and now my 4-year old son is guilty as well.  However normal, it is frustrating nonethless.

     When Damon was younger he rather disliked coloring with crayons.  This was somewhat disappointling for this Mama who always enjoyed coloring as a child...and has even found it relaxing and somewhat therapeutic as an adult.    So trying to be the good mom I thought I was supposed to be, I purchased all the gizmos and gadgets designed to help little hands hold crayons and color--all to no avail.  <sigh>

     It has only been a recent discovery that we now know why Damon has been so resistant to coloring (and most recently writing).  Turns out he is very likely ambidextrous.  As a result, he has developed little strength in either of his hands, and it was difficult, possibly even painful, for him to grip a crayon, or pencil.  With the help of a wonderful Occupational Therapist, we are slowly overcoming this challenge.  In fact, Damon has, at least for now, decided he'll use his right hand for coloring and drawing. 

    Damon now declares, "I just love to color!"  There have actually been a few occasions when he has trouble falling asleep at night because he's "just so excited to color tomorrow!" My refridgerator is now covered in Damon's crayoned artwork.  His skills at drawing stick-peopleis finally developing quite nicely too.  It's been fun watching him grow and mature in this area in the past few weeks.

     His declarations of love for the art of coloring bless this Mama's heart---usually.  Today, however, was a different story entirely.  After lunch, Damon came bounding into the kitchen, where Steve and I were chatting and announced, "I just colored on the wall, but I'm gonna clean it up!"   Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

     

 Damon was immediately sent to his room to have a time-out and give me time to assess the situation and come up with a plan of discipline that was both loving and firm. What met my eyes as I walked into the living caused me to gasp...possibly in disbelief, definitely in horror! There staring back at me...in BLACK crayon..was a series of huge circles, crosses, and Xs!!!! On 2 walls and a windowsill! While I really wanted Damon to enjoy coloring and drawing, this most certainly was not what I had in mind.    

      After taking a few minutes to breathe and resist the urge to scream (remember Damon is still upstairs sitting in time-out), I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bucket, a clean scrubby-sponge, and a bottle of soap.  After I had a small amount of warm soapy water in the bucket, I put Damon to work cleaning up his "masterpiece."  It took him a while, and I don't know if he "learned his lesson."  I suppose time will be the true measure of that.   I do know, the next time I hear him declare his affection for coloring, I will most likely cringe as I remember today's writings on the walls.