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So this week I am gearing up. No, not for Christmas, don’t be ridiculous! I don’t go into overdrive on that until four days before the big day. We’ve got plenty of time! Nope, I’m gearing up for a week of meetings with schools. I’ve been brainstorming with a few good friends (Nora, you’re the best) and consulting with therapists and tutors. And this week, I’ve got meetings for both Marta and Sbird regarding school and how to meet their needs.
When you have a kid, or two or three, who don’t fit the regulation mold or requirements for regular standard issue schools, you have to plot and plan on how to make things work. You have to consult brainstorm and pray to figure out solutions that are positive and scenarios that will support your kid’s needs and how they can learn where they are at. ADHD, school delays, language barriers…this is just a few of the hurdles. And so, as a mom, you “put on your cape,” strap on your armor, and you set up meetings. You go prepared to be charming, persuasive, as well as firm and clear headed. You brace for battle and hope for miracles.
And so I am. I will be praying through this week, hoping for great solutions and brave hearts and minds, willing to try something new and different. If you have a mind to pray, I’d appreciate prayers for this as well (if you remember in the midst of the festive preparations). And while I hate to beg again for prayers, we have so often, I will. Because I have some research to sift through, others to present to those in charge. Because I will go to the mat for my kid(s). I will beat the bushes for tutors and helpers and beat on principal’s doors (nicely but firmly). I will try to open some eyes to new possibilities, not only for my kids but to open a few doors that have been shut too long.
It would be a miracle but we need some new options after the new year. And this week, I’m gonna see if we can’t make some headway into making one, or a few, of those become real. And that would be the best Christmas present of all.
>sending lots of good vibes into the school-universe for you. You are a rock star mom. As a teacher, I felt like schools often bulldoze over parents in terms of their children's rights. I think many times parents don't even realize they can fight for their children or if they realize it, they don't know how.
>Praying for all of you.The Darlings
>I have been chanting "armor on" in my mind since your last special needs post. I have a son with severe special needs (Autism) and I know how tought it can be to battle for services. I will say a prayer for you!
>Battle on!! I'll be thinking about you guys and keeping you all in my prayers.
>Prayers here. And another ear if you need it from a former sped teacher. The law is on your side.I don't know the issues here, but I wanted to ask if the school delays were true delays, or gaps because of older child adoption, and lack of earlier schooling?I had an administrator keep using the word 'delay' when talking about my son, and I kept correcting her and saying "GAPS". She just wasn't getting it. I finally used a train analogy with her. If a train is delayed by two hours, you aren't getting those two hours back… it will be two hours behind at every stop. But if there is a gap, we can work together to build a bridge, and the train can continue on it's way.Good luck with it all!
>Will be praying!
>You have our prayers! And we have a court date!
>wooohooo! go mama! you can do it! praying! becca