Fun? What's that?

I am at a loss...I feel like I have to force Hewitt to have fun. We go to the park and instead of running to the play area, he turns around and heads for the car. We go to the library and he picks out a movie and says, "I am ready to go home". I have never met a kid that won't allow himself, or doesn't seem to know how to have fun. I seriously don't know what to do for him...how do you teach "having fun" to a 2 and 1/2 year old?

Looks can be deceiving

How in the world does a child who is unhappy 90% of the time manage to turn off the water works and smile for nearly 90% of his pictures? It is a real head scratcher if you ask me...maybe years from now when I remind him of how difficult his early years were he will stop and say, "But mom, I am smiling in all of these pictures, you must surely be mistaken" and then I will hand him his book and let him read it.

Kids say the darndest things!!

Sometimes after a long, exhausting day I sit back and realize that Hewitt the Horrible says some very funny things...although when he is SHOUTING them at me or another unsuspecting victim they don't seem that funny...but let me share some of them with you:

"Let's Fight!!"--this is said a lot throughout the day, he is always ready and willing to fight.

"I WANT TO GO HOME"--this is usually said when we are at the park/library/playdate and is usually followed by "I WANT TO GO TO THE PARK" when we arrive home.

"YOU DON'T SAY THAT" or "STOP SAYING THAT!"--usually shouted at me when I am telling him not to do something.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY (insert any one of Hewitt's toys)!!!"--usually shouts this from his room while he is on a time-out.

"WHATEVER!"--usually said while he is walking away as you are talking to him (keep in mind his is 2 & 1/2 years old)

"MOOOOOMMM, Cullen said 'poopyhead'"--this is said 5-10 times a day in reference to something his cousin said months ago.

We do have some tender moments where he stops shouting for a minute and asks, "Mom, do you have headache?" Usually I have to say 'yes'.

'Hewitt the Horrible'...what's it all about?

Ever been to a store and hear that kid screaming his head off? Ever been to the park and see the kid who is having a meltdown while all the other kids have fun? Ever been to church or the library and you hear a child crying the entire time? That's my boy...give us a wave next time you see us!!

Let me start by saying 'Hewitt the Horrible' is my son and little did I know that February 14, 2007 would change my outlook on children and what I thought I knew about children. All of this, the blog and the book, was brought about because there were days when I was fairly certain I would lose my mind spending one more day with him. I am blessed to have 2 wonderful children and I have also been blessed by being able to stay at home the past year...little did I know what I was in for. 'Hewitt the Horrible' is just that...he is my little, mean, unhappy, whiny guy. He makes going anywhere exhausting and sometimes flat out miserable. I finally reached my breaking point and thought if I don't do something with this guilt, anger, misery...my husband might find a note one morning and I would be gone. I decided to write a book about Hewitt, a book that hopefully will help him...and help me. It has been very therapeutic being able to write this book...when Hewitt is having one of his outbursts I think to myself, "How can I add this to the book?". It has helped me get through another day.

P.S. Having an artistic husband who has agreed to do all artwork for the book makes writing a children's book A LOT easier!!