Update

I went back to this blog to look for some links for a friend. I decided that I would post an update since I ended abruptly on the last one. This school year is so different. For the first time, I get to see what happens when the conditions are the way they should be. Last year, it was looking like we were dealing with so much more than just the problems in school. They just saw the reaction of a traumatized child in an inappropriate atmosphere and it looked like my child needed as much intervention as the classroom. I knew differently. Now, with a wonderfully sensitive teacher by her side, my child is doing beautifully. She can finally let her guard down a little so she can learn. I rarely need to ask the teacher do modify anything. And when I do, she responds-immediately. Attachment has come so far, and believe it or not, I think last school year had something to do with that. She learned that I would fight for her and take care of her. She learned that home was a good safe place to be. She is now grounded and has a home where she feels secure and comforted. I can finally feel better about where she is.

Only a few more weeks until Spring Break, then the home stretch. As I go back and forth between the decision to home school or traditional school, I was comforted that S wanted to go back after being sick because she missed her friends. Even though we go through some trials at school, they are things that are building her for her future. She can only learn certain social skills by being social. As I explain to my little perfectionist, you have to make mistakes to learn. I am far too overprotective of her to allow her to learn when she is with me. It is a mother's job to protect her little ones from any harm. I find myself avoiding anything that would upset her. My philosophy has always been this-life is hard enough, I am not going to make it any harder. Life is a never ending journey, so why try to expose them to bad things before their time? Let them enjoy every minute they can, and be there for them when things go wrong. I did that with her older siblings, and none of them are complaining. They have a lifetime to learn the good with the bad. Well, there is some good news as far as school for next year. They have created a multi-age classroom for 1st/K/ It will be a first grade curriculum with a focus on individual learning. It is not a special needs classroom, but more of a specialty classroom. I think this is a perfect fit for us, and in reality, it was added with S in mind. Things seem to be smoothing out lately, but we know there will be lots more to go through, whether it be in school or at home. I told her last night that I'm with her in all this forever, no matter what she goes through. It took her a little pondering to believe it and trust me on in, but she did.

What has been going on?

Well, I thought I would try to play catch up. I really need to chronicle all that happens to give me a good perspective on what actually goes on. For some reason I can't make this blog private. I want a place to write down all of the details, but don't want them public. Maybe I just need to start a different one since this isn't much about NR anymore. I know it has helped some people to read this, we are a really great NR success story. I even heard that our former vision doctor is going to hear Bette speak. I hope one day we can see all of the big egos that work with special children, finally put pride aside and come together to help our kids. A multi discipline approach only works well when one knows what the other is doing. I hope one day that happens and more kids are healed. I can't express the frustration at seeing people I know not even look into different approaches for their kids. School is still a bit of an issue. I'm not really sure what to do at this point. Again, the third year in a row, we are 'getting through' to the end of the year. She will need to be in the world someday, so she does need to slowly learn to deal with what the world has to offer. She starts soccer in a couple of weeks. She really enjoyed it last year. This year will be more serious though, so that could change everything. I'm not sure she is ready to go from playing with her team mates to playing the game. It could work to boost her self esteem or deflate it. We shall see. She is also doing pep squad at school. I am pleased to see how fast she catches on to the cheers. She is the most exuberant girl out there, and by far the cutest! This is a place where her loud voice is welcome. We are doing well at our vision exercises each night. She has been sick this week, so we only got 2 days in. I can't see it ending in June, but maybe there will at least be progress. I can't believe she will be 7 in June, where has the time gone?