Please note, I would never ask a therapist, teacher, ESP or doctor/nurse work during this unprecedented pandemic. However something is happening to families whose child has special needs and we have to talk about it.
****
I have a child who has lost all special education.
I am not an educator and I am not a Special Educator.
I am not a stay at home mom. I work full-time (yes, even now during the pandemic). Continue reading
Please note, I would never ask a therapist, teacher, ESP or doctor/nurse work during this unprecedented pandemic. However something is happening to families whose child has special needs and we have to talk about it.
****
We are gearing up for online learning with Bridget. Her SPED teacher sent a few video links and set up up in Google classroom.
I played the video. An immediate shut down happened. We videoed the shut down and behavior that the video of seeing her teacher caused. (I am not going to share it to protect her teacher’s privacy). It looked like this… Continue reading
Please note, I would never ask a therapist, teacher, ESP or doctor/nurse work during this unprecedented pandemic. However something is happening to families whose child has special needs and we have to talk about it.
****
At Bridget’s IEP meeting in the fall I warned the team that I wanted to begin now preparing Bridget to be as independent as possible. Continue reading
How often do you look at your child’s IEP? I know I used to look at it right before an IEP meeting, then I would review it afterwards, sign and move on. I learned my lessons over the years.
For those who are just entering the IEP there are a few facts to remember. Continue reading
This past weekend was Graduation weekend on the Cape. I love attending graduation and seeing children that I’ve known longer than they’ve been alive in their cap and gowns. I burst with pride alongside their parents and loved ones, knowing how hard they worked for this small piece of parchment. I take pride in knowing my signature is on their their diploma. That I had a very small hand in helping them succeed.
Truly it is one of my most favorite days of the year. Continue reading
You know when you think something is working and by all appearances it is, then you let someone else test your “thing” and it malfunctions? You have to go back to the drawing board and you are frustrated because you were so sure that your “thing” was working perfectly.
That my friends is life with Bridget. Continue reading
I received a text from Bridget’s teacher the other day. She was asking if something happened at home she should be aware. Bridget had been crying off and on all morning. They had never experienced this behavior before.
My first instinct was to respond welcome to my life. Continue reading
Last week we went to an Open House at Bridget’s school. It was the first Open House that I’ve been to since the disastrous kindergarten play date. I didn’t want to go, but since first grade was so incredible I wanted to make sure Bridget’s second grade is as successful. We entered the school lobby, tried to explain to Bridget why she did not have her backpack and took a deep breath anticipating the sure-to-be-awful-night.
Except the House was Open and Inviting. Continue reading
I have to start this post with a bit of honesty. Those that know me understand that I am a suck it up buttercup type of person. While I do believe that you get what you give, that if you embrace this world and are kind the world will be kind in return. I do not believe in the other-world, spirits or destiny. I believe we make our own destiny by the actions we undertake. For example I believe that if I stay up all night playing Cribbage with my best brother-in-law I will have a headache the next morning. If I run an obstacle race with Lauren I will be bruised but my stomach will hurt from laughing.
I have, no word of a lie, been asked to leave a spirit shop when I brought Tia (who does believe) to a mystic (?). I was told by the woman that I was cold and not only blocking the spirits but killing their desire to interact. Apparently I was also spiritually blocking someone’s uterus. Anyway, I left (without police escort!) and have led a very happy life even if the spirits believe in me as much as I believe in them.
Then I met Beth from NJ. Continue reading
Before you become a parent you do a lot of reading and researching. You read What to Expect and (the more honest) Girlfriend’s Guide. You sign up for every blog, baby website and scour the Internet for a small glimpse to your highly anticipated new life.
You give birth to a healthy baby and rejoice. You ask Jenn before making any rash decisions. Then you quote her when you say, Well Jenn said it was okay to not the wash baby clothes before you put them in the dresser. You choose to breast feed or bottle, whatever is the healthiest choice for your family. Continue reading
(Un)Diagnosed and still okay 