House Rules

It took me 10 days to read the 500 pages of Jodi Picoult's latest book - House Rules. The main character is this book has Asperger's Syndrome. This is the diagnosis that I assume that Ian will have as he gets a little older. The book was brilliantly written, as most of her books are. I felt she really nailed the components of Asperger's and the effect that it has on families. Because she nailed the dynamics so well, it made this book extremely hard for me to read.

It makes me think about the future for Ian. We are working so hard now to prevent the bullying, isolation and anxiety that he might face; but will it be enough? It's one thing for a four year old to have a meltdown, but will it still be happening when he's 8, 10, or 18? It's impossible to know what the future will hold, so I will try not to dwell on it. I hope that what we are doing will be enough - enough for him to have friends, go to college, find love, have a job and live independently. The book was was a good reminder about why we are doing what we are doing. I'm glad I read it - I just wish I didn't make so many damn text-to-self connections to this book (a little reading-geek humor for my closing statement).