Marielle Beaudoin's Page
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Mattawa, Ontario, Canada
- About Me:
- My husband and I have been together for over 26 years. We have a 28 year old daughter, a 12 year old son, and an 8 year old grandson. Our daughter, her hubby and our grandson live in the city 40 miles away. I've been homeschooling Austin, the 12 year old, for over 4 years now because he suffers from severe migraines and was not believed by his teachers.
I suffer from M.E. and Angina and have had to give up working outside the home. So Austin & I are capable of studying at his convenience. I was a counselor at a Battered Women's Shelter, and I miss the job terribly.
Last year, I managed to scrape a few dollars and got my own counseling website. I counsel teens and adults for free. I try to direct people to various Mental Health websites, where it may not cost them any money, to get more info or help.
I was lucky to find a professional co-volunteer counselor with a generous heart to help me.
I'm going to need a sponsor to renew my account because I don't want to lose the website now that so many people depend on us. We serve people from around the globe. I'm hoping that there's a system in place here in Canada, where sponsors can be available to help us.
- About my teenager:
- Austin has grown a lot in the last year. He's now one inch shorter than dad, and has been dealing with all the symptoms of puberty. His voice has deepened and he now shaves. His birthday is May 27th. He'll be 13. Everything is happening very fast.
Austin has been angry from the first day we brought him home at age 4. He was taken away from his mother, and so was his baby sister because of abuse and negligence. We fought in court for 1and 1/2 years for custody, and It made him angrier not knowing if he could stay with us or if he would go to another foster home. He became depressed and missed his mom and sister. So we decided that he could have supervised visitation with both, seperately. He was a lot happier this way, and was never in any danger with my husband and I at his side.
He went through counseling for a while and anger management but still hangs on to that anger.
He has a close friend who stays over almost every weekend and we go on many outings to parks, zoos, museums, go fishing, see a movie, dine out etc. My husband and I love him so much and we don't forget to tell him and show him on a daily basis. His anger has diminished a little and we realize that his hurt will last him a long time. We must remember to not give up no matter how difficult it can be. My husband had to learn to allow Austin to let out a bit of steam as long as he doesn't break furniture, hurt someone or himself.
So far its helping. Little changes are worth it. He's worth it.
- The one question I would like to ask Sarah.
- Austin now hates to have a shower or bath. We have been taking away his lap top when he refuses to wash. Does this happen to other kids his age?
- My biggest challenge.
- Austin loved bath time and brushing his teeth until a few months ago. Now it turns into an argument when we remind him to shower or brush his teeth. We've explained to him the importance of cleanliness and how more pleasant it is for others to go near him when he smells good. And how gum disease and tooth decay can be painful, costly and unhealthy.
He tricked us for 8 days at one time, telling us he was showering, when he was just letting the water run while he listened to his music with the bathroom door locked. I caught on because he started to look and smell grundgy. lol
I know that will change once he starts hanging with the girls; but is there an easier way to get him to wash himself?
Marielle Beaudoin's Blog
Wow! It is COLD outside!
Winter has come early this year, as it did last year. We have at least a foot of snow here in North Eastern Ontario, Canada. And the temperature is staying well below freezing. Its supposed to warm up a bit tomorrow, but I'll believe it when I see it. Austin, 12, has already been driving his snow-mobile and has gone skating at the indoor rink. His skates from last year didn't fit him anymore, so we gave him some new ones as an early xmas gift. He fits a size 10!!!! His feet are
… ContinuePosted on December 5, 2007 at 7:10pm — 2 Comments
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Yes it is typical the washing thing and it will pass. Sounds like he is moving from concrete to abstract thought and therefore does not want you reminding him as much. To be honest the more you tell him to wash and take things away the less likely he is to do it.....it is one of those things you have to let him sort out himself. He has to learn he is in change of himself. Have a conversation with him and let him know that you are handing this to him and that he is responsible for his cleanliness and all you ask in return is that you can be honest with him about his hygiene without him getting angry. Then see what happens......he will change it when it becomes important enough to him. Leave it for as long as you can bare and then if there is no improvement come back to me for stage two.
By the way I think you can get the book on www.amazon.ca
Sarah
Welcome back! And, CONGRATULATIONS on your book. I will look for it at our book stores, in Canada. I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences in the last 18 months. I have a feeling that I will learn more about life's twists and turns.....