Sharing Responsibility

[Ishigreensa]

"How big?" Heidi asked excitedly as she was helping Marissa cook.

[justagirl4fun]

"Like this," Marissa said and cut the first potato into one-inch cubes.

Charlotte made Merida answer the door.

[Ishigreensa]

"I'm Prince... Uh, who is the prince for Merida?" Amy asked not having seen that one.

She giggled.

[justagirl4fun]

"Um...she doesn't have a prince!" Charlotte giggled.

[Ishigreensa]

Mike didn't really understand why the -W- was bad, but he didn't argue.

[justagirl4fun]

(yes, you are correct about the position. Most kids do it occasionally and it's no big deal but for kids with CP and other such disorders it can be bad for the hips, can trigger spasticity in kids with spastic CP - what Charlotte has - and can slow the development of core strength, balance, and movement so they are encouraged to sit cross-legged, side-sit, or sit leaning back against something for support.)

"I dunno," Charlotte said with a shrug. She didn't really understand the reasoning, she just went along with it.

Marissa returned to the kitchen and got out another pot. "The potatoes go in here, with enough water to cover them. Can you handle that?"

[Ishigreensa]

Heidi smiled and brought the potatoes to the sink after putting them in the pot and started to run water over them.

[justagirl4fun]

"Um, sweetheart, do you need to use the toilet?" Marissa asked after watching Heidi squirm. Her own child may not be toilet trained yet, but she has six younger siblings and is quite familiar with the "potty dance." "The bathroom is right there if you do," she said and pointed.

Charlotte continued playing with Amy. After a while she reached to put one of her princesses in the turret of the castle but tipped over, taking the castle with her and scattering tiny princesses across the hardwood floor. "Oops," she said with a giggle as she struggled to right herself.

[Ishigreensa]

Amy's eyes went really wide at first scared the four year old was hurt.

[justagirl4fun]

"No, I'm okay," Charlotte insisted. "I don't need help." Eventually she got herself on all fours and started crawling around to pick up the princesses. "They're

[Ishigreensa]

Heidi nodded and ran off to the bathroom.

[justagirl4fun]

"Oh, you'll get used to that," Marissa said. "She falls all the time. Sitting, standing, walking...doesn't matter. Just goes right over. Doesn't faze her a bit."

[Ishigreensa]

Mike smiled a little bit relieved.

"Oh, okay.