I don't know what the hell parents of children with autism did before things like youtube, dvds, and On Demand cable. I remember the scene in
Rain Man, when Tom Cruise pulls over on a country road and begs a lady to let them watch The People's Court. That was a pretty creative solution until he bought the little television. I totally get that scene now.
I have blogged about the
Imagination Movers before. My kids love that show. I could go on about how I am a tad disappointed that Knit Knots was fired from season two. My only main comments there are 1) What does Nina do now other than act as a "groupie" for the band since she no longer works for her Uncle Knit-Knots? and 2) I hope the actor was well compensated or has other acting opportunities ready to go because they put him through a lot last season, including carrying around a pet rock, watching paint dry for fun, and dressing up like a cu cu machoo that couldn't speak English. Then they go and fire his ass....
So the point is my child loves this show. So much that we sprang for tickets for their concert in November. She understands it will be crowded, she understands it will be loud. But she wants to go and you better believe you will be reading a blog about it later. I have always been grateful that she can go to school and come home and watch Imagination Movers to decompress while I get dinner done. She knows how On Demand cable works, and she can read the names of the shows on the buttons to choose from.
A couple of days ago, The Imagination Movers were removed from the ON Demand menu. To say that a tantrum followed is a bit of an understatement. We have a DVD of them as well, but alas we have no DVD player at this time. I took for granted that I would always have access to cable. What was a mother to do? A good mother would have held her and said life wasn't fair. A perfect mother would have said "let's go color." A superior mother would have set, "How about we read some books." And a guilt trip mother would have said, "Have you seen Slum Dog Millionaire? CHILL!" Now, who is ready for what the Quack Mother did?
As much as I hate math, I can count to four,and a light went on in my brain stormin' head. I found Noggin, now Nic Jr., on Demand and hit an episode of
Yo Gabba Gabba as fast as I could. As soon as my man DJ Lance Rock had the toys coming to life, I held her close with her special blankie and said, "Look Frannie Monster! The Imagination Movers are wearing Yo Gabba Gabba costumes today!" Four movers, four Gabba Gabba friends. Scott is Muno, Rich is Foufa, Smitty is Plex, and Dave is Brobee. Nina comes over and voila, we have Toodee. She smiled and said they did a great job pretending to live in Gabba Land. My four year old, catching on, nodded and said that I sure did solve an idea emergency.
Any mom can brainstorm. But the mother of an autistic child needs the quick thinking of the Imagination Movers combined with the wackiness of Yo Gabba Gabba daily.
Think Fast ladies,
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Comments (8)
How funny he should post this tonight. We just got back from the concert and I am so proud of her for sitting on her daddy's lap in the noisy crowd. More later....
That was freakin' BRILLIANT!
Done many such silly things with my kids too.
I tip my hat to you! That was a very clever and ingenious solution to what could have been a very big problem!
Yo Gabba Gabba is better anyways. =]
We recently had the same problem - Disney sold the rights to The Wiggles a few months ago. Our DVR got hit by lightening so all the ones on there were gone with that box. For a solid week I had to hear my 2 two year old nephews beg and plead for Wiggles. Finally I had to go buy a DVD to keep my sanity....now thankfully, Sprout has picked up the show and my DVR is filled once again. We did watch quite a bit of Yo Gabba Gabba and The Fresh Beat Band during those days - lucky for me, with the boys as long as their is singing and dancing they can usually be talked into watching it instead.
@AllthePerfect_Words@xanga - I prefer it myself-I can't wait for the dancey dance guest!
@themommyquack - Like Elijah Wood!
Plus the show is produced by the band the Aquabats.
@AllthePerfect_Words@xanga - Jack Black!