The Jersey Shore Boardwalk - Conquered!

Here at the Jersey Shore, the boardwalk has been hot or cold with Alex since we moved here 5 years ago. When he was younger he enjoyed the rides, especially the train - and so we stocked up on the 2for1 ticket books over Easter weekend. But then all of Alex's sensory issues really started to come to a head and the boardwalk was simply too overstimulating. Heck, on a crowded summer night - it is overstimulating for me as well - the crowds, the noise, the scents - just all of it.

There was a time, when we couldn't go to the boardwalk at all with Alex. Considering we live just a few miles away.. I felt like we were robbing his younger typical little sister of this experience because it made her brother upset. Coupled with the location issue that this is where they had held the annual Jersey Shore Autism walk - we wanted to get over the hurdle of the boardwalk. It seemed that the hardest part was getting him from the municipal parking lot and up the wooden ramp to the boards. Once we'd get him up to the boards he would usually do ok and enjoyed walking down the end past the Aquarium and to the inlet, to watch the boats - this is the "quiet" end, away from the hustle and bustle of the carnival rides. We realized that simply parking away from the crowded municipal lot and opting to park on a side street (added bonus - free parking) made things easier on Alex - despite a longer walk to get there. They took school and camp trips to the Boardwalk and Aquarium and the teachers would report that he did fine aside from walking up the ramp. Each time we'd go and it would get easier, and eventually we didn't need to use the big ear muffs - though we do try to attend during the week when it is slightly less crowded.

Over the weekend we went to the Boardwalk to meet up with a close family friend. Despite it being a hot Saturday night in July - the peak of busy time, we braved it. The hardest part seemed to be finding parking without paying a fortune, but my husband worked it out.

And, for the first time ever - BOTH of my kids were able to enjoy the rides. Alex covered his ears a bit when we passed a few of the louder attractions but aside from that he was pretty darn good. He asked to go on the "hot air balloon" ferris wheel with his father and while he did that I took his little sister on a whole bunch of the kiddy rides. Last year, she was going through a particularly fearful stage (that now I think had to do with her vision issues) and she wouldn't dream of going on a merry go round, or any ride.

But now, the sky is the limit.

Alex loved the helicopters, and probably will be too tall for them next year so we are enjoying it while we can!










Belle took Dumbo for a spin all by herself - some of the kids had parents squeezed in with them - so glad she was a big girl!










And this, I wish I had taken the next picture but the kids Auntie and I were just in awe of the kids at this moment. After they got off the alligators - Belle was stuck and couldn't get down. So Alex went to her and she put her arms around his neck and he lifted her down and then held her hand to the exit. They do love each other, when they aren't killing each other - that is! What a good big brother Alex is.