When my son, who is on the autism spectrum, began mastering daily living skills, we thought we had reached a significant milestone. Toilet training was a triumph that filled us with joy (and relief for our laundry machines!). We were celebrating our victory, but little did we know we had overlooked one crucial challenge: the dreaded Hand Dryer of Doom. Cue the ominous music.
To support environmental sustainability, modern science introduced hand dryers in public restrooms. However, these devices come equipped with motors that emit noise resembling the wails of a tormented soul. Simply advising my son to “just wipe your hands on your pants” was futile. After hearing a stranger activate one, he developed an intense fear of them. As he grew older, he began venturing into men’s restrooms alone (with me standing guard outside, reassuring everyone that “Mom is right here, and I’ve seen it all before!”).
Finding a Solution
So, what worked in overcoming this fear? A hair dryer. That’s right! My son’s former teacher, Ms. Collins, introduced this device to dry the kids’ hands after washing them in class. While he might not adore it, he learned to tolerate its presence. The day she sent me a photo from a school field trip showing him using the hair dryer was an emotional moment for me — I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy.
Miracles can indeed happen, even in restrooms. But just when we thought we had conquered the issue, we encountered a new beast: the Exlerator hand dryer. You know the one — it’s notoriously loud! Just when we thought we had turned the corner, we were faced with a challenge that looked like something out of a sci-fi horror film. The thought of teaching my child to insert his hands into that roaring contraption was overwhelming. I almost threw in the towel, deciding that wet hands were a better option than facing that monstrosity. I mean, soggy fries could be tolerated, right?
Observations in the Wild
During a recent trip to the movies, I noticed that many women were opting for paper towels instead of confronting this new hand dryer. Even those who typically advocate for environmental causes have their limits. This particular device might just be too much for anyone to handle.
Conclusion
In summary, the journey to help my son tackle his fear of hand dryers has been filled with unexpected twists. While we’ve made progress, new challenges keep emerging. This experience reminds us that parenting is a continuous learning process, and sometimes we have to get creative. For more insights on navigating parenting challenges, check out this blog post. If you’re on a fertility journey, you might also want to explore these at-home insemination kits from a reputable online retailer. And for additional information on fertility treatments, this resource is invaluable.
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