Today our water heater broke. No hot water means cold showers. Yea, right!
Improvise! With autistic children? Yea, right!
One of the "symptoms" of autism is a rigidness about schedules. My 13 year-old Nick and 15 year-old Ryan are no different. They prefer a non-changing schedule, so that they know what is coming next. We usually give them a two-minute warning when they have to stop the current activity, just like football. Even with a warning, there is no guarantee that these kids will adjust willingly (or unwillingly).
This morning Mike and I discovered the "no hot water" problem. I immediately started boiling water in a pan, micro-waving water in a bowl, and heating water in my hot pot from my college days. As the boys woke up, I told them the problem, how it would effect them, and how we would live for the day. I specifically said that the water heater broke, so there was no hot water. Then I said that they could wash their hair in the kitchen sink with my help. They could also take a sponge bath, hospital style. I also emphasized that "no shower" or "no hair washing" simply was not an option.
Nick had to repeat everything I said, but he still was ready to take a normal shower. I had to stop him and remind him that it would be a cold shower. He wanted to take a shower. I decided not to push the issue. In a minute I heard the shower go on. And off. He came out and opted for the hot water-sink option for washing his hair.
Ryan braved the cold shower, but only after I brought in bowls of hot water and left. He decided he could put wash-clothes in the hot water and use them to do his own sponge bath in the shower. Creative. He wanted to be completely independent (which I was totally grateful and thankful that was his wish).
Stuart and Cameron had no problem adjusting.
So here's to the life of hot showers and boiling water. I also understand why plumbers do get paid well!
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