tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post4506904091640904991..comments2023-10-04T12:17:48.643-04:00Comments on The Rocking Pony: When School Days Aren't So GoldenKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037928148778848386noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-70961665415222515422008-09-09T17:05:00.000-04:002008-09-09T17:05:00.000-04:00I have no suggestions, just hugs and empathy! I ho...I have no suggestions, just hugs and empathy! I hope you are able to work with the teacher to figure something out!caramamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02327695885346537321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-30967015726748602262008-09-07T02:57:00.000-04:002008-09-07T02:57:00.000-04:00I like suburbancorrespondent's suggestion of morni...I like suburbancorrespondent's suggestion of mornings only. Maybe his days are just too long?Tootsie Farklepantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18336671002327112885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-1632635029871070792008-09-06T14:08:00.000-04:002008-09-06T14:08:00.000-04:00I'm so sorry this is starting out to be a tough tr...I'm so sorry this is starting out to be a tough transition for the both of you! Can't they provide his ST in school? <BR/><BR/>It is so hard to walk away from them when they are crying for you...so hard on a mom's heart.<BR/><BR/>Kayla used to do that when I would drop her off at MOPS, occasionally at the ECI center, and the first week of preschool. Sometimes I would be in tears walking away. With Kayla though I knew it didn't last long; she stopped crying after a few minutes; she just needed a little cuddle time with the teacher, or a diversion with toys and then she was ok. And it did finally get easier the more she went and got used to it.<BR/><BR/>I hope Micah gets used to the routine and school and comes to enjoy being there!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02441176684416139172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-82834057978037616962008-09-05T10:46:00.000-04:002008-09-05T10:46:00.000-04:00Was the school receptive to letting him take Woody...Was the school receptive to letting him take Woody? I know for a while Gavin needed a toy to keep in his pocket (race car) to give him a bit of security and it seemed to help. And your idea of changing Speech Therapy to the end of the day may help, too, like Debbie had mentioned. I hope it all works out. I know you will always make the right choices for Micah.Wineplzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12412881827548705342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-87419090638563265502008-09-04T23:59:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:59:00.000-04:00Kidzmama's making a lot of sense with her suggesti...Kidzmama's making a lot of sense with her suggestions. And you know I know your home school path so far and where ours cross. My vantage point would be to hold that option in reserve as a last resort, but definitely have it as an option. And be at the school all you can.<BR/><BR/>Irene is right about the whole IEP thing, I think. You've proven that you can be persistent and push for what Micah needs. Don't stop now. You're doing a great job, Karen.Fleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03412755038083750088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-35095176968772354542008-09-04T23:19:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:19:00.000-04:00Karen,I'm so sorry to hear Micah does not like sch...Karen,<BR/>I'm so sorry to hear Micah does not like school. I can't imagine how hard it is for you. Do you know how he does once he gets to school? Maybe he's just not wanting to go but (playing you) to see if he can stay home. It doesn't sound like it, but if he was doing well at school, that would be some comfort. <BR/><BR/>I think the idea of having him go home after speech is a good idea. It would be something for him to look forward to. Also, I always warned my paents when I ran a daycare that if they chose to drop in during the day, which they were welcome to do, they may want to consider picking up their child because the child just wants to go home and doesn't understand why mommy came by and left. (Does that make sense)<BR/><BR/>I know you've received a lot of good advise. I hope things get better for all of you soon. Hang in there!Debbie @ Three Weddingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11778199494515694006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-14279572439111148552008-09-04T20:44:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:44:00.000-04:00I haven't had a chance to read completley through ...I haven't had a chance to read completley through the previous comments, so I apologize if these suggestions are repeats:<BR/><BR/>- I think moving the speech to later on Wednesday would be a good thing - at the very least to try to eliminate the having to return to school.<BR/><BR/>- if the option of an aide is available, I would certainly look into that, and maybe see if there is a time where he/she can meet with Micah one-on-one to get to know each other. If an aide can't be arranged, maybe a small group of students who could help 'mentor' him or help him feel comfortable?<BR/><BR/>- I agree with Irene on the IEP and with the thought of maybe going half-days for the time being, increasing to full days as he gets more comfortable?<BR/><BR/>I do hope that things get easier and that he starts to find enjoyment in his new surroundings - I can only imagine how overwhelming all of the 'newness' must be to him!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-44925851327059997402008-09-04T20:16:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:16:00.000-04:00I've never had a child react quite the way Micah d...I've never had a child react quite the way Micah does, but Punkin still cries and clings to me most mornings when I drop her off. It never gets any easier.<BR/><BR/>As for Micah, I'm not sure what's best. The idea of a personal aide sounds good and might be what I would try first. Maybe you and the aide could work together for a couple of days so that Micah will know that this person is "mommy approved"Madame Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879021662076403965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-20337680257256382922008-09-04T18:24:00.000-04:002008-09-04T18:24:00.000-04:00You may already know this, but I am finally gettin...You may already know this, but I am finally getting it. Since he has an IEP, you can pretty much get whatever you want (within reason). You can request all the things you stated in your post. I don't know if this would help at all, but you can shorten his day. If being in school all day is too much, do half days. Or do a few days all day, and a few days half days. Just a thought. I am sending Caroline 1/2 day. But I may add a full day once I know she will be OK. That would give me a bit more freedom to do things during the week. <BR/><BR/>Caroline's teacher really emphasized the "you get whatever you want" point about the IEP. Only completely unreasonable request will be refused. Like the time they wanted her to teach how to use a chainsaw, or how to drive. Nope. But anything else? You got it. Now, you may need to push a bit - don't take the initial "no" and move on - but if you start going up the ladder, I think you can be amazed what you can accomplish for Micah.<BR/><BR/>Good luck and I really hope things work out better.Irenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01270545811471785078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-70145918274176392502008-09-04T15:36:00.000-04:002008-09-04T15:36:00.000-04:00Oh, Karen...I'm so sorry Micah is not enjoying sch...Oh, Karen...I'm so sorry Micah is not enjoying school. I really hope the teacher gets back to you and can help. It seems like you had some good ideas, and maybe some previous commenters' ideas will help, too. <BR/><BR/>Good luck. I really hope Micah learns to enjoy school. He obviously has such a good heart, it would be a shame for him not to be able to share it with his classmates and teachers by enjoying his time there.Quarantine Hobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175727655486792688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-37831723621758400822008-09-04T14:47:00.000-04:002008-09-04T14:47:00.000-04:00I'm not sure how much I can add to the conversatio...I'm not sure how much I can add to the conversation at this point, but first off, you are not whining. You're venting. And this is the perfect place for it.<BR/><BR/>Micah is usually a really happy guy. So something's up. I think the speech therapy can't interrupt the day. It's painful for both of you. Also, I know life is way busy, but you need to hang out at his school and see what's going on. Talk to the teacher in person, have Micah see you talking to the teacher, hearing what you say. He's a bright kid, he wants to see that you're on his side.<BR/><BR/>Good luck and keep us posted.Kidzmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06750828246807725671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-18649712988806161962008-09-04T14:04:00.000-04:002008-09-04T14:04:00.000-04:00I like your number one the best. When I worked wi...I like your number one the best. When I worked with children with Autism or FASD (I know they are both quite different but bear with me) the scheduling was the biggest problem. Too many changes stressed them out. <BR/>You know him best though and while you may have to try them all out you will know what to do in the end. <BR/>I'm sorry your mommy heart is breaking, I can only imagine!CanadianMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830797268318076910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-39351217098554670712008-09-04T12:43:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:43:00.000-04:00You are not whining, and you know we love to stick...You are not whining, and you know we love to stick our noses into all kinds of business. It's why we blog, right ;)<BR/><BR/>I think taking him home after speech is a good idea. I take Fiver out early every Tues and Thurs for his therapy, and even though he seems to like school he looks forward to leaving early with me. He's not missing anything major - as I always say, it's kindergarten, not Harvard. The teachers are down with it too - I think they realize he needs to go more than he needs to stay.<BR/><BR/>An aide may be helpful too, once he gets over the initial "getting to know you" period.<BR/><BR/>There's my two cents. That and six bucks will get you a nice cup of coffee :) Good Luck!Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16332125903937752882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-71173712036672420732008-09-04T12:03:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:03:00.000-04:00here's the deal...your little mommy heart always k...here's the deal...your little mommy heart always knows what's best for you and for Micah. My Brooke has to have things extra consistent with her ADHD...although the situation is different, I mildly understand the concern. <BR/><BR/>So, for what it's worth...i think #3 is a great idea...it gives the little guy a break and makes it feel like a special day...and if it's like that every week, it will make him look forward to speech. <BR/><BR/>Who knows though. Pray and listen...and be confident in what decide...but fluid!Danyele Easterhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15645625553845575954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-49115840476056688582008-09-04T11:38:00.000-04:002008-09-04T11:38:00.000-04:00God sure doesn't use cookie cutters to form kids (...God sure doesn't use cookie cutters to form kids (or families, for that matter). Having twins with special needs (radically different for each boy,) we had to be open to "different strokes" and lots of trial and error. Trust your instincts -- after all you've been the teacher up til now -- I don't believe you suddenly exhausted your intelligence in this matter when he turned the "magic" school age.<BR/><BR/>I've homeschooled ALL of my children, but with a variety of intervention and therapies. I use diet and vitamins to enhance development as well. (If you are interested I have some info on vitamin therapies and speech development that aided my son Matthew TREMENDOUSLY -- but don't expect a doctor to suggest it.)<BR/><BR/>YOU know Micah. You understand his communication and needs better than any "expert" that has just entered the scene. Carefully evaluate the needs, goals, options, etc. Define Micah's individual "ideal" educational experience and then set out to get it for him. Use all the resources at hand but keep MICAH at the top of the list, not the stanradr format. This is hard work, but based on what I've read here, YOU CAN DO IT! Be Micah's advocate.<BR/>I won't blab on here any more. If you'd like to contact me you have my email. <BR/><BR/>I'm praying for you everyday. Last night when I heard Sarah Palin address the special needs community I welled up with tears as I thought of my boys and your precious Micah. It's so amazing how God knits hearts together though a few pics and some honest prose. I feel connected to you and your family and I pray for you daily. My family even knows about "Micah's family." Once my eldest daughter laughed that with five kids and two parents we were always referred to as "Andrew's family." Just walk into a room pushing a wheelchair, assisted by another special twin brother with three other cuties on tow and you're the darling of the ball ... but all eyes are on that precious boy with the adorable eyes and the million-dollar smile. (Our Andrew made women swoon and men tear up -- he was truly an angel.)<BR/><BR/>Okay, enough! I'm onto my day. First off: Pray that Micah's educational needs can be met in a way that suits him. Thanks, God. I know you're already working on it. : )<BR/><BR/>XOXOXOXOXOXOX ... !!!!Debbie in CA : )https://www.blogger.com/profile/07473719745707917057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-86536053062923925102008-09-04T10:56:00.000-04:002008-09-04T10:56:00.000-04:00Is this a school that is specialized for kids like...Is this a school that is specialized for kids like Micah? Or is he thrown in with kids who may not understand his special needs? Are some of the students being mean to him?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-83133421376285235542008-09-04T10:20:00.000-04:002008-09-04T10:20:00.000-04:00My boys always were absolutely drained after speec...My boys always were absolutely drained after speech. I can't imagine how hard it is for both of you to return to school (where he's not thrilled to be) after speech. Maybe the half day on speech day would make everything easier?Caution/Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11172990197662644455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-40276062871410224122008-09-04T09:39:00.000-04:002008-09-04T09:39:00.000-04:00Oh goodness no. Your concerns are all very valid....Oh goodness no. Your concerns are all very valid.<BR/>Sasha had a problem at his old daycare and it was horrible to make him go. Eventually, they kicked him out and we found a new one. And he was more like himself.<BR/>I think when kids act so counter to their usual self when it comes to going somewhere, there is something wrong and something that needs fixing.<BR/>For us, the answer was just to get a new daycare provider as the other was too intractable and had unrealistic expectations of an infant (turned out they expected him to do for himself so he wasn't being fed or anything else).<BR/>I think maybe a day of hanging around to see what's going on is definitely called for. <BR/>It might just be that he needs to get used to it, and you being there could definitely make it easier. Or it could be there's something he needs that's not being attended to, that you can spot and rectify.Becoming Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16196365719272632077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-62536130846154970532008-09-04T08:26:00.000-04:002008-09-04T08:26:00.000-04:00I think you need to trust your mama instincts. I ...I think you need to trust your mama instincts. I like the mornings only idea or the aide. Do they have a window that you could watch through to get a feel about what his day is like? <BR/>My youngest hates going to preschool, he cried for the entire hour before we left yesterday, but they tell me he's fine once I leave. What feedback does the teacher give you about how he's doing throughout the day? <BR/>Sometimes they know just how to push our heartstrings to the breaking point, I just know that this will work out.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11679472852451921467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-81476198920382226282008-09-04T07:50:00.000-04:002008-09-04T07:50:00.000-04:00oh wow, ouch. I wouldn't dare leave advice. Just o...oh wow, ouch. I wouldn't dare leave advice. Just one thing listen to your heart and your intincts. Can you homeschool him?<BR/> <BR/>It's not even close to the same thing but once my dog let me know he didn't like a particular groomer, I didn't take him back. <BR/><BR/>Going with him may be a good idea so you can see what is freaking him out and reassure him. <BR/><BR/>He's so cute, is he a litle pampered at home or is he really scared? It's not wrong to want to protect him. Just handing our kids off to perfect strangers is a weird idea we have in this society.<BR/>Get this book, "Choices" by Mary Farrar. For some long term thinking on this.Karen Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05892103639142471595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-67942273083404131272008-09-04T07:01:00.000-04:002008-09-04T07:01:00.000-04:00I'm sorry he is having such a hard time. I think ...I'm sorry he is having such a hard time. I think by contacting the teacher you did the right thing. If you and the school work together then Micah will benefit. There is not perfect answer- it will probably be a case of trial and error until you find what makes M happier. Is he allowed to take Woody with him? Maybe having a favorite lovey from home will help. I hope it gets better soon and the school can help you get some answers.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156212038739784644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-85992316986692761352008-09-04T06:55:00.000-04:002008-09-04T06:55:00.000-04:00Poor guy.I'd be inclined to shift his speech thera...Poor guy.<BR/>I'd be inclined to shift his speech therapy to the end of the day whatever happens - mainly because it's so much less disruptive for him.<BR/>I also like the idea of buddies and aides.Glowstarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16103658857065729108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-46114145229556537292008-09-04T05:37:00.000-04:002008-09-04T05:37:00.000-04:00It is hard! I think the personal aide idea and the...It is hard! I think the personal aide idea and the suggestion to find him a friend to look out for him are great ideas. I'm so sorry you're hurting with this. *hugs*imbeingheldhostagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771374087307254969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-28324365110355387462008-09-04T02:19:00.000-04:002008-09-04T02:19:00.000-04:00poor micah. and poor you. it's heartbreaking for y...poor micah. and poor you. it's heartbreaking for you to watch your baby agonize like that.<BR/><BR/>i have nothing to offer ... except hugs and support.<BR/><BR/>hang in there.the planet of janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11444337511603560544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494202605629550918.post-86791861120592775802008-09-04T00:15:00.000-04:002008-09-04T00:15:00.000-04:00Poor little guy:( I was reading your Plurks and I ...Poor little guy:( I was reading your Plurks and I just stopped by to say I feel for you. I wish I had suggestions. I hope things get better for him and you {{hugs}}Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00625673916138703709noreply@blogger.com