Life after 'switch on'

So we're about a month in with Little One's cochlear implants and we're still trying to balance the swings and roundabouts of it all.

An hour's concentration on listening games might mean no energy left for the travails of wearing trousers for two days. Nine or ten hours of unprecedented auditory input requires 12 hours of deep sleep, without which there will be thrown toys or raised fists or bared teeth. An elated message to Hubby 'He turned his head, he definitely heard something' must be paid for in tears.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy though and we're slowly settling into a routine for our current version of normal. Sadly, today both the swings and roundabout in our local playground were wet, so we headed for home after the school drop-off and proceeded to play with every toy in the whole house. Upending every storage bin, throwing every ball and knocking down every tower took us almost an entire hour and soon we found ourselves at 10:03 running out of activities.

Aha! Surely it was time for a snack? Little One brought me to the press where one might reasonably expect to find crackers, peanuts or other delicious savoury treats. Alas, there were only marshmallows there so we left the press empty-handed.

Next we spent some happy minutes colouring in the envelope intended to carry Little Man's school tour fee safely to school but our hearts just weren't in it. Suddenly, Little One hit upon an idea. He ran off, and came back with his baby brother's coat and a winning smile. Of course! We should take a walk.

With Littlest and me suitably attired and Little One insistent on his t-shirt, nappy and wellies combo, we departed. What a jolly walk we had. For the first 20 feet. And then, at the side of the road, an impasse. As I tried to continue around the corner on our Going For A Walk route, Little One waited patiently to cross the road for our Going To The Playground/School/Out Of The Estate route. Oh dear.

Little One: *points across road, smiles*

Me: 'No, I'm sorry. We need to go this way now.'

Little One: *points across road, smiles, nods*

Me: 'Later. We'll go there later. Let's go this way now. I'll race you!'

Little One: *shakes head, points across road, smiles, nods*

Me: 'But the playground is all wet! It's yucky. We'll go for a walk now and play later, after school.'

Little One: *points across road, signs 'eat', smiles*

Me: 'What the- ? Oh my goodness, you are bringing me to the shops to buy peanuts, aren't you?!'

Little One: *nods, smiles*

So right now, life can be tough. Each day requires more work and patience and calm and ingenuity than we ever thought possible. Each tiny piece of progress is fought for, and earned. There are days when the battle seems lost. But that cheeky little kid? Well, he's worth fighting for.