The History of Monster

Monster keeps popping up in my Week in Reviews. Another blogger friend suggested that Monster deserves his own post, and I think she’s right. Monster has been a fixture around our house for awhile and does not appear to be going anywhere any time soon.

So here’s the history of Monster.

For a brief minute I sold Usborne children’s books. Thankfully I discovered the book Johnathan James and the What If Monster before I realized I had too much on my plate to be sales consultant for the company. This was about a year prior to my son being diagnosed with autism. He was having anxiety going to any places new. So I ordered this book about a little boy overcoming his fears in new situations and the monster plush that went along with it.

I don’t know if this is just a thing with my son, but maybe your kids do it too? He will get something, not be interested in it, a few months later rediscover the item, and then he will be REALLY into it. And that’s what happened with Monster. We read the book a few times. It didn’t seem to resonate. The plush got lost in the abyss that is my kids’ room.

Then one day about six months ago Monster was rediscovered.

The thing about Monster is he is not just a security attachment or favorite stuffed animal. He is a character in and of himself. Monster says and does the bad things my son is not supposed to. He is always suggesting the craziest shenanigans to get into. We don’t completely put the kibosh on Monster. If we entertain it a little bit my son actually seems to behave a lot better. So we balance getting onto Monster and letting Monster have a little fun.

Monster is always involved in playtime around the house. He tries to go everywhere with us. Most of the time he has to wait in the car though. Here’s some adventures we’ve had with Monster so far.

Monster sending the kids off to their first day of school

Monster got left in the car one day. So I took him to work and sent pictures of him to my son throughout the day.

Monster at my son’s birthday party.

Monster helping set off fireworks on the 4th of July.

Monster at our tea party. Behave monster!

Yes we even had a birthday party for Monster.

Monster playing at home.

I don’t have any idea how long Monster is going to be around. For now though he’s just fine hanging out and making us wonder what he’s going to get into next.