Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Meet Bobo

A first invisible friend has made it's appearance at the Smith house recently. Reid is really struggling to adapt to Parker being gone three hours a day. Truthfully, he sleeps most of the time that Parker's gone, but when he's awake, he doesn't know what to do with himself.

The first week of school was quite an adjustment for Reid. Of all the people I expected to shed tears, it certainly wasn't Reid. Everyone else adapted quite nicely. Parker is thriving. I'm thriving (though this new schedule has severely limited my blogging time). And Reid is struggling. I hadn't considered that it would be so hard for him. I thought he would relish a few moments a week to himself. He cried some very sad tears the first couple days of preschool. We dropped Parker off and he would silently sob in the back of the car on the way home...shoulders shaking, lip trembling, tears flooding his face kind of sob. Then by about day three or four, he screamed at the preschool door and screamed all they way home. It caused much more of a scene, but I knew we were making progress. It wasn't the really sad tears. He hasn't cried much since...though he did today.

On the days Reid wakes up from his nap early enough to squeeze in a little play time before we have to get Parker from school, Reid doesn't know what to do with himself. He has never had to play alone. It's like he doesn't even know how. I'm surprised. Reid seems to live in his own world a good portion of the time anyway. So the first day he had time to play by himself, he kind of wandered for a bit not knowing what to do. Then I heard him chatting...and see him sharing his trains. He told be that he was giving "Gordon and Henry" to his friend, Bobo. He sat and played nicely with Bobo clear up until it was time to get Parker.

Since then, he has let me know that Bobo's full name is Bobo Grayden Smith. (Funny because playing with Grayden is completely out of the question...Reid pretends Gray doesn't exist...unless he breaks his train tracks or something.) And a few more friends occasionally stop by to play...namely superheros. They are around any time Parker is gone or asleep or something.

I'm amazed at how nicely he can get along with his pretend friends. I wish I could see a little more of that with his brothers.

17 comments:

Autumn said...

Oh my-that is so tender. I never thougth about a middle child having to play with themselves for the first time when siblings leave. How true! I love the pretend name. I just read that a sign of bright children are those who pretend, especially thoe with pretend friends. Look like you have another mini genius.

Traci Elizabeth said...

That is so sweet!!!! And I love that the friends name is Bobo..awesome. Good luck to Reid, adjusting is hard on little ones!

Natalie said...

That is what just happened in my family. I thought Emma would have a hard time her first day of kindergarten but as she stood there so bravely in line waiting to go in it was her little sister Lily who I had to drag back to the car kicking, crying, and screaming for Emma to not stay but to come home with her. Now she has agreed to just give Emma lots of hugs in line until the teacher comes out to get the kids.

Heidi said...

Oh my goodness. that is so funny! I always wonder if any of my kids are going to have their own imaginary friends.

Crystal said...

That is so funny that Reid has a new friend because Hunter does too. His friend is a hippo. I don't know where it has come from but he loves it. Good luck to you with Bobo. Also, I'm so so sorry that I missed your birthday. Happy belated birthday!!!

Lauri said...

Ah, poor little feller! It's hard being the middle child, especially when he's so close in age to big brother. He doesn't see an age difference. Give him a big hug from Grandma...and one for Bobo too.

Jenn said...

What a cute/sad story for Reid! I am glad he found Bobo. Hopefully he will be able to adjust over the next few weeks.

Kelly said...

I witnessed a little of that with Leah, my middle when Alex went to school. She has always been good at playing alone, prior to that, but became way better after that! I love that Bobo is his new friend- so sweet. It is amazing how much love he has for his brother- I love it!

Kelly said...

Oh- my friend, Holly, who blogs just wrote about the same thing- only he asks people at the grocery where his brother is! He really misses him too- it is a funny little story she told- but I so see the similarities.

Erin said...

At least it is a person! We have had a monkey, dog, cat, and a dancing elephant!
What a great way to keep himself entertained!

Amanda B. said...

How interesting! Poor little guy- I bet it broke your heart to see him so sad. What a great way for him to cope- by "creating" a friend. It was a huge adjustment for Jacob when Kenny went to school- made worse by the girls being born. I had not seen that coming as bad as it did. That is part of the reason I looked forward to him going to school.

Kris said...

When Gennifer went off to school, Erika was quite sad too. They are close in age, and they did everythign together. It is a big adjustment! How sweetly you told that story!

jeanine said...

That's sweet! And at least he has someone to keep him entertained right? I think Rachelle was the only one of us who had an imaginary friend :)

Genn said...

Oh, that is a sweet story of Reid missing his older brother. I hope he adjusts quickly. I haven't even thought that far down the road yet, but I'm sure the younger one does really have to adjust when the older one goes to school first. Bobo sounds quite fun too though. =) Good luck to Reid.

Melissa + Brett said...

How sad! That is so cute that he misses Parker that much. I hope my kids will be like that someday, instead of Tavin spitting his chewed up grapes out on Kirra's head.

Unknown said...

Aw that's gotta be hard for him. Its interesting to see how he adapts. Good thing he and Bobo get along so great!

Nicole said...

Katie! I don't know if you remember me... it's been a long time. :) I ran across your blog a few weeks ago and forgot about it then came across it again today. You are a talented blogger! There is so much fun stuff to read. It's good to see that life is treating you well. Your kids are so cute!