Wrong & Right

Been having some problems of late with our younger son, 9-year old Chip. He's adopted, like Zilly and Blueberry. Mom was an alcoholic and coke positive. He came with some issues. We're working through them. Chip is a PITA, but he's also the "apple of my eye". He worships the ground that I walk on - to the point that I'm very careful how I act around him. He has an eye to detail, shows patience and perseverance. He's got a wonderful heart. And I get a chance to not make all the mistakes I made with Razor.

About 2-years developmentally delayed, but doing well in his academics, Chip tends to be a bit neurotic. He has about 100 pounds of matchboxes, and is contented to play with them over and over. Lines them up. Sorts them by type and color. Sometimes its cute and sometimes its worrisome. With all the other crisis here, I tend to accentuate the positive.

Lately, he's started to become obsessed with guns. He picks up a stick and makes believe it's a gun. We find sticks in his pockets all the time. He loves the tanks and hummer army vehicles the best in his matchbox collection. Has a set of little green army men that he loves to play with. I showed him a couple of movies (Zulu, Zulu Dawn, The Magnificent Seven) to try to get him to understand the tragic consequences of guns. It backfired.

Last night, we realized that he was neurotically obsessed. Wifey searched his room and found a bunch of everyday objects fashioned into guns hidden around the room. And then she found a Monopoly game piece - if you guessed it was a gun, you're the winner. He had to have gotten it from school. When confronted, he lied about it. Finally told us the truth.

Today, we called the principal at his Christian school. As his teacher last year, she's familiar with his day-to-day struggles and has witnessed his spiraling, willfulness, lack of social skills and other quirks first hand. I explained the situation to her, and asked for a meeting, and for punishment if she thought it was appropriate. We set a time, but she didn't say much. I was hopeful (thanks barak) but skeptical. You see, most times we've tried to follow through with a lesson for one of the kids and it includes relying on others, we're usually left wanting.

But not this time. The principal handled it beautifully. Chip was honest. Apologised. Was hanging on her every word. In love but with firmness she explained the seriousness of what he had done. Told him what the consequence would be. What the consequence would be if he ever did it again. Told him that he's got to ask for help when he gets tempted. That he needs to fight the good fight. That she loved him, but hated what he did!

Thank you, Lord. Tomorrow is the Skuzz meeting. I'm dreading it. More of the same of the CYA baloney. "Feel good" words covering up incompetence.

But today was a wonderful breath of fresh air.