In a previous post I had talked about the usefulness of positive reinforcement, when it comes to parenting emotionally damaged children. Well, in weeks past, I have also written of my adopted stepson, and how far he has come, as well as all the recent awards and trips he has won for academic excellence.
Well you if want to talk about some positive reinforcement! My parents watched both my boys for me, overnight, Saturday night, so that my husband and I could go out to the theatre and then spend the night in town at a hotel, to celebrate my husband’s birthday. While we were out having a lovely evening, it turns out that my step dad was out with my adopted stepson computer shopping! Now, they were supposed to be computer PART shopping, but with all of my adopted stepsons recent hard work, I guess my dad decided to just go ahead and take the whole computer part thing to the next level.
On Sunday morning, we ended up meeting my mom at the mall, as she was trying to convince my toddler to get a hair cut (good luck with that one grandma) and we were going to the sporting goods store. She told us about the computer shopping, and just how successful the trip had been. Both my parents have been the perfect grandparents to my children. My stepfather has accepted not only myself, buy my adopted stepson as well as though we were his own flesh and blood, and there isn’t a person in the world that my adopted stepson loves more than he loves his Grandpa!
Both my husband and I were very grateful, thankful, as well as floored! We couldn’t believe that they had gotten him a brand new computer! They even bought him some extra accessories so that he can hook his now, two computers together and play two player video games on them! My adopted stepson had his friend come over shortly after we arrived home (with a still shaggy toddler *sigh* maybe next time) and they had an absolute blast together!
We would not have a lot of the things that we do have if it were not for my parents. My children would not have many of the things that they enjoy, and we simply would not be where we are today, if it had not been for them. And with coming from a non-traditional family, as well as raising one, I can tell you that it really teaches you exactly what it is that truly defines a family. Family is defined by love and acceptance, not simply by blood. For blood can turn its back on you, but your true family, never will.
