Boxers or Briefs...

My oldest son has a mild case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is usually brought on, or exacerbated by, stress or anxiety. Anything from not sleeping well to a test at school. And apparently wearing underwear is a cause for stress in a seven year old boy. The entire span of his life has been a struggle with clothes, including socks, shoes and, yes, underwear. Socks must be the exact height, have the same amount of elasticity and above all else the same density. Clothes must fit perfectly- not too form fitting, but not too loose. However, attaining a desired fit is nearly impossible when you factor in underwear. As a woman I understand pantylines and bunching better than most. However, I have bought more boys underwear in seven years than I have for myself in my entire lifetime. For a child with OCD the fit is far more important than the appearance through clothing. They cannot be too tight as they will leave a mark on his skin and inhibit his breathing...yeah. On the contrary, if they are too loose they bunch under his perfect fitting clothes and drive him to compulsion. In my attempt to be patient and understanding I have tried everything from whitey-tighties in all sizes to boxer briefs, and lastly good ol' comfy boxers as all others were too tight. Alas, boxers are too bunchy under his pants. Now, the lack of fidgeting and fussing did not go unnoticed mind you, I simply hoped that he was perhaps maturing and "growing out of" his compulsion.... Wrong. 

I recently discovered my son has been going commando, as perfect underwear do not exist- I refuse to introduce him to the thong. In hind sight I realized he had been occasionally complaining about his bum itching or hurting. Of course, I know it is not from wiping insufficiently due to the fact that he uses an entire roll for every single BM... 

I now realize it is due to chafing from perfectly fitting pants sans underwear.

 So, this morning my beautiful boy was busy blowing up balloons so he could pop them and he failed to get dressed at the regularly scheduled time. When I noticed his lack of socks and shoes I immediately rushed him to the ready. After ten minutes of obsessing over the accuracy of his laces' tightness, I sent him on his way. 3 minutes later he returns. He is wearing underwear. Dear Lord.... "Dillon, you just have to deal with it, you're going to be late." (Another cause for stress).  Yeah.....that's gonna fly.... Naturally he threw him self down in a fit of rage. He landed at the edge of the couch hard enough to move it. I did what I could only think to do, I threatened to beat him and make him go to school with tears in his eyes. For shame....I won't go into to the entire conversation because I am still traumatized, but I won. He left wearing underwear. Boxers! He is going to have "the worst day of his life" but he will survive, as will I- and score one for momma....