Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Everyone dreads getting that phone call from their child's school. In our case it's usually because one of my boys is sick, or one in particular is asleep again.  But not this time. This time I was called by the Vice Principal. 

Oh Boy!!

Seems one little boy had spit his drink on two of his friends and was disrespectful all morning. 

Nice. 

After a brief but stern talk to said little boy he was sent back to class. 

Two hours later the phone rings again. 

Crap!

This time it was his teacher. Please come and get him. His behavior has continued and I can't do this anymore. This was 30 minutes before I was to pick him up from school anyways. 

I picked him up from school and his poor teacher looked like she was about to cry. Honestly, I have been there. I know that look. And I know those days. I really felt bad for her. 

But what does that say to my son. Was I rewarding him for behaving badly? Was I doing the right thing for picking him up early? Should he have just spent that last 30 minutes of school with the principal?

He lost privileges but he was the same way to me the rest of the afternoon. A little bit of background on him. This particular child has Moderate ADHD and other diagnosis. And we lowered his medicine in hopes of trying to figure out why he's sleeping so much during the day. 

 He has since apologized to the Vice Principal and his teachers for his behavior and is a different kid today.

Granted his behavior is unacceptable but he was in full ADHD mode and was having issues controlling it. What would you have done? Any thoughts?

  

Wordless Wednesday

Our 200lb Mastiff thinks he can fit on that chair with the two of them!

I Am Woman, I Am Invinceable, I Am Tired

As moms we all struggle to do it all, provide it all, and say yes to anyone who asks. We think we are super woman, ready to leap tall buildings, run a mile a minute, and keep a household happy. But doing that will eventually run us ragged.

I'm to that point. I'm tired, exhausted really. I am the taxi driver, the referee, the gift getter, the baker, the judge, jury, and nurse. I am one step away from staying in bed and letting someone else handle a day or twelve.

Just as I was beginning in my journey of slowing down, letting my kids take more responsibility for some things in there life ( backpacks by the front door, clothes laid out, etc. ). I was introduced to the book , Momaholic: Crazy Confessions of A Helicopter Parent.

 It is one mom's struggle to let go in order to discover a freedom for herself and her family. Dena Higley defines helicopter parenting as the act of hovering over one's children, anticipating and meeting their every need.

Every family is different. some hover  . . . a lot, some have no choice to hover because of medical problems or learning disabilities. Which is where I struggle. I have three kids that are special needs. Lately those needs have been put to the test with my oldest having a seizure, my middle son now struggling with possible hearing loss, and my youngest sleeping 15- 18 hrs a day and no one knows why.

We are inundated with doctors appointments, dance rehearsals, Cub Scouts, Venture Crew, homework, and in between all that they have lives and parties, and play time with friends. and I work too.

I'm tired , I just want one day for me . . Somehow that day always turns into running errands,  going to the doctor etc. I need to learn to say "you do it". You can get ready on your own, You can start your school work by yourself, You can get that snack. I struggle because I keep telling myself It's faster if I do it or I handle it. But what it's really doing is exhausting me.

This book was so me. It was like I was right there with Dena having a conversation with her about our struggles. She was funny, honest, and so real. Her book isn't a a how to book, it's a what not to do book.

Like Dena, I urge you give yourself permission to breathe.

I highly recommend that you take some time for yourself and read this book!

A Letter to My Son

Dear Son, 

Trips to Urgent Care are inevitable with you. I knew that the day I found out you were a boy. I figured that you would be there at least twice a year but not twice in one week. 

But to not remember how you hurt your foot is something new. Did you really hit it that hard that you forgot what happened?  You told me it was your toe nail that hurt. And like the big boy that you have become promptly went and put a band-aid on it. 

It wasn't until your sister helped you with your shoes and socks (three days later) that we even noticed  . . . 

that your foot

WAS PURPLE!!!

Your father and I would appreciate it if you would let us know immediately the next time you hurt yourself. 

Thank you!

 Onto the matter of you scaring your mother half to death a few days later with a barking cough, struggling to breath and a high fever.  I honestly don't mind making regular visits to the doctor. We aim to keep you as healthy as possible. But getting yourself sick with Croup  a few days after the foot incident was a little much. 

Now, you know you are one special kiddo. But we'd really appreciate you not scaring us so much. You have our hearts, Little Man and we love you but we have to put our foot down when it comes to two visits to Urgent Care in one week. 

Also, when you are feeling better, I would rather you just tell me instead of doing headstands on the couch in your underwear. You may just end up getting hurt! 

Just a little advice from your mother. 

Your Welcome!

Love, 

Me  

I am their Cheerleader

My life consist of all things school. The last few months I have put my focus on teaching my kids reading comprehension, sentence sequencing, phonics, decoding and spelling.

I never really understood the importance of reading until I had kids of my own who struggle with it. Everything they do in school is reflected on how well they understand what they read and how well they can portray that understanding. 

I myself never struggled. I could read 2nd grade books in kindergarten, I could read in pictures which made understanding what I read easily. I could never grasp the concept of a struggling reader. And when my kids were born I just assumed that my kids would pick up reading as easily as I did. 

So when that didn't turn out to be the case , I had no idea what to do. By the time I figured some of it out, my daughter was older and still struggling. I have read books, blog posts, talked to doctors, and reading therapist. I have learned a lot but my kids still struggle. Reading isn't fun for them. 

As a mom, and an avid reader, I can't imagine the frustration,  the low self esteem, and the confusion they face everyday. For this reason my oldest is now home schooled. She's happier now that she feels she doesn't have to compete with the other kids her age. She just has me to be her encourager, her teacher, and her coach. 

No matter how long it takes, I'm not giving up on my kids. I will fight for them, they are unique in their struggles, they need me and my husband more than anything to be their cheerleaders, to help them learn and to understand their frustration. 

Do your kids struggle with reading? How are you coping? What are some ways you teach your kids reading comprehension? 

Didn't Happen

I did not just super glue my spoon rest to my desk. 

Nope that did not happen. 

Tooth Fairy 2 Giveaway

Have you seen Tooth Fairy the movie? Did you like it? My family loved the movie. We recently got the privilege to watch Tooth Fairy 2 and liked it a lot. 

My kids were mesmerized by a grown man wearing a tutu and wings. And I tell you it made for some interesting conversations between the two younger ones. If only I had my video camera working. 

Some of you know my kids personally . . . so you can imagine!

The movie was full of laughs and I think my husband loved "Crusher" the pig the most" He wants a pig . . . 

as if we don't have enough animals living over here!

Would you like to win a copy of Tooth Fairy 2 for your kids? This giveaway is for US residents only.  Sorry Internationals I'll have another giveaway shortly for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: We were supplied ToothFairy2 DVD to review.  All opinions are my own . . . and the children’s. No other payment was made, just a simple dvd to do the review.