A Balanced Load
Lyn has lost more of her ability to help with the laundry recently.
When Mom asks if she needs laundry, Lyn is still able to put her pants into one pile before grabbing the rest of what needs to be washed. When she gets to the washing machine, if it is closed, she now needs help figuring out how to open it. She's genuinely confused and is not able to identify the lid's handle. Conversations at this point begin with some version of "I don't understand something. What am I supposed to do now?"
Once the lid is opened, Lyn now just drops the clothes in one pile. They have a top loading washer. Until recently, Lyn knew to spread the clothes around so that the load would be balanced. She no longer understands what Mom is asking of her.
Mom's redirection tactic is to ask Lyn to check her room for any other clothes. While she's checking, Mom redistributes the load and gets it started.
Laundry is one of the life skills that Lyn worked on in high school. This is a skill set she's been using on a weekly basis for nearly 30 years. At this point, she can sort her clothes and take her clothes out of the dryer.
When Mom asks if she needs laundry, Lyn is still able to put her pants into one pile before grabbing the rest of what needs to be washed. When she gets to the washing machine, if it is closed, she now needs help figuring out how to open it. She's genuinely confused and is not able to identify the lid's handle. Conversations at this point begin with some version of "I don't understand something. What am I supposed to do now?"
Once the lid is opened, Lyn now just drops the clothes in one pile. They have a top loading washer. Until recently, Lyn knew to spread the clothes around so that the load would be balanced. She no longer understands what Mom is asking of her.
Mom's redirection tactic is to ask Lyn to check her room for any other clothes. While she's checking, Mom redistributes the load and gets it started.
Laundry is one of the life skills that Lyn worked on in high school. This is a skill set she's been using on a weekly basis for nearly 30 years. At this point, she can sort her clothes and take her clothes out of the dryer.
I'm sorry you have been sick and am glad you are recovering. My heart aches for the losses Lyn has been experiencing. The story of how your mother redirects Lyn so she (your mother) can fix the laundry in the washer and yet not demean or upset Lyn brought tears to my eyes.
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