It's taken me a day to calm down from this enough to share.
You may remember, last week we got a new couch & chair for our living room. This was because after 8 years or so - the old one had long been declared unusable, it was the most miserable experience ever to sit on because the springs were busted, foam gone and it was like sitting directly on the wooden frame. The town recycling program came and picked up it as promised and took it away.
You may also remember that my son Alex loves to draw and color on things. In the past month or so he has colored himself blue, engaged in alien bodyart with his sister, and gone on a labeling spree. Tell me again why I thought getting new furniture was a good idea?
Oh, it was maybe because we NEEDED it. Yeah, someplace to sit down on is kinda nice to have.
Well, the unmentionable happened yesterday. I was dealing with Belle who has been under the weather and Alex took pen to upholstery - a whole big Nick Jr. masterpiece that if it was on paper would have been frame worthy. Oh, was I ever mad. The good news is that I was able to wipe away all traces of it and you'd never know it was there. I should have taken a picture for proof, but I was just That Mad.
Needless to say, I'm now worshipping Resolve cleaner and banishing all pens and writing instruments from the house! Read the gory details about what happened here.
I don't think (one can hope) that he will do it again. He saw how upset that I got and he cried. He wanted to come to the grocery store with me and I made him write me an official apology letter first. The letter said "I'm sorry Mommy. I write your couch" and it had a sad smiley face on it with 3 big giant tears dripping down it.
He got it.
In the meantime I'm stocking up on this:
9 comments:
I know the feeling. I stepped into the bathroom to blow my nose and my son colored in the grout on my kitchen floor with a red sharpie.
You're not alone - my daughter thought the powder was cleanser and spread it all over the bathroom floor... At least it smelled good in the bathroom...
Oh MT -
Are my mirror neurons firing reading this! From Diva taking a permanent marker to my new white bi-fold closet doors to Frog insisting on covering every clean surface he finds with something - This week it was my nice clean white sheet - my muddy little Frog climbed into my bed instead of the bath I was drawing for him, water all over the carpet (again) and green acrylic paint all over him and the hardwood floor - Ahhhhrg!
When I bought our new couch a couple of years ago I made sure I got it in a microfiber upholstery. But even that hasn't saved the couch - sigh. We now have microfiber slip covers to hide the stains and wash when needed.
I'm so glad to hear the Resolve worked so well. We learned of its magic powers when we had dogs. It is also useful for removing ketchup from white carpets, upholstery and walls - when the need arises :0)
btw - Silvia made it home safe and sound. I should have a post preview for you tomorrow :0)
Resolve is hand-down the grandest product! I feel for you, and your young artist. I love the note, though, and the tears on the drawing!
I got up this morning to find that Sue has colored several large stripes on the leather chair with permanent marker...even Resolve can't work with that. At least it's very dark leather so you can only see if you look quite close!
I guess the positive part is now the furniture is "broken in" so the next travesty won't seem so devastating?
Maybe??
It's awful that it happened, but the story was priceless! I especially love the apology note he wrote.
Praise the Lord for Resolve!!
Oh my... Mine have done the same thing, but our furniture was old and crappy, at least! What a sweet apology note.
I've really enjoyed reading your blog and have found it to be very educational for parents like myself of non-autistic children. Thank you for posting such private and personal information to educate others and raise awareness. I taught art in a public school for 5 years before staying home with my girls and had several autistic students. I always wondered about how hard it must be for their parents. Parenting is enough of a balance between love, discipline, and just getting through daily life without the added burdens of struggling with this puzzling illness. Bless you for your patience, love and courage. Your children are beautiful and we are all better for having been touched by their lives and yours.
I'm sure you already know about this but I love the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean for getting "artwork" (non-commissioned murals) off of my walls!
My kids don't draw on walls or furniture, but Gus does have trouble keeping his hands, usually when they're full of ketchup or spaghetti sauce, off of...anything he can reach. I can sympathize. One of the many reasons we don't have nice things.
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