Comments on Minivan MacGyver: happy 2012!

I speaking here as a mom of a special needs child ...

2012-01-02T08:21:31.023-05:00

I speaking here as a mom of a special needs child (now grown) and a special ed teacher. Your Miss A will probably not learn how to handle her emotions on her own. It sounds as if she will need to have specific instuction in how to handle her emotions and her behavior. In my experience, if kids don't have these skills they just don't magically appear--just like reading and math skills don't develop without instruction. Your school social worker can help with this, but quite honestly, they are usually have a bazillion kids on their case load and you have quite a good chance of getting lost in the crowd. If you have insurance, a private cognitive behavioral therapist would probably be a great help.
Also, you can have an advocate with you at any meeting you attend at school. This can be a good friend or it can be a professional advocate. Sometimes it helps to have someone with less emotional involvement in the meeting with you. It also helps to tell your team that you are not understanding something and that you are not sure how to navigate the system.
It sounds that you have had your difficulties communicating with your team; isn't there one person in the school who you feel that you can talk to? If so, go to that person and ask for help. The people who work there went into helping careers for a reason and really aren't, in my experience, out to prove that you are a bad mom or to ignore and give poor services to you kids. The key is to be assertive without being aggressive.
It is very difficult to deal with a child with behavior issues. I hope that the new year brings new insights for you and your daughter.

Also- I just skimmed it but that tomato/kids websi...

2012-01-02T02:33:16.209-05:00

Also- I just skimmed it but that tomato/kids website creeps me the hell out.

You rock, MacGyver Mother. Show those professional...

2012-01-02T02:32:43.779-05:00

You rock, MacGyver Mother. Show those professionals who's boss and strike a blow for frustrated parents everywhere!

Jen, I have to tell you that you are an inspiratio...

2012-01-01T21:46:06.633-05:00

Jen, I have to tell you that you are an inspiration for me. When I read your blog and you so very honestly share your challenges with Miss A and the boys, well, just being a mom, it gives me a moment of not feeling alone. My daughter, Gracie, has moments when she absolutely loses it and it takes creativity on my part to distract her and get her to calm down. At one point, you posted about Miss A giving herself a time out. We started telling Gracie that: If you feel frustrated with Mommy or Daddy or your brother, instead of getting mad and hitting or kicking, just find a quiet place and give yourself time to calm down. We are in the early stages, but it is making a difference for her. I credit you with giving me the idea and I thank you for it. Good luck, MacGyver Mom!