Punky Mama

The drama level in my house has finally dropped off. My husband is still bruised but doing better.  I am finally on the mend after two long bouts of stomach flu, Little Boy A is recovered, and Wildman (who has the constitution of a tank) never got it.

We have been looking at kindergarten for Wildman.  Oh my.  I live in the city but happen to have a great neighborhood public school three blocks away that was recently featured in the daily paper for what it is doing right.  It has diversity, decent test scores, a great principle, a local farmers food trust, and growing neighborhood support.  I also applied at this charter school but our chances of getting in are about as good as winning the Powerball, but I took a “you have to be in it to win it” attitude and applied anyway. We decided not to do private school because Wildman has a better chance of getting help he needs with his delays in either a public or charter school.  Then there is this school, that my friend Cecily and I had a very long email discussion about.  It is a school for homeschoolers.  The kids are home part time and go to school part time.  It allows for active learners like Wildman without all the labels.  It might make him feel less different. The downside is this is a 40 minute commute from my house each way without traffic. We really have no plans on moving with this economy.  We are at such a crossroads and we are trying to make plans, and contingency plans for his schooling.   Wildman has been asked to leave school (daycare) before and I feel as I walk in the door of a school I have to have an exit plan “just in case”.  The time leading up to his departure from daycare was so heartbreaking.  I never want him to have to stay in an environment that is not working for him for longer than necessary.  It took me over a year to undo what happened at the daycare.  We used to pass by the daycare building in the car and he would mutter how the teachers at that school didn’t like him at 2 1/2 years old.  I am determined not to let this happen again.

We have gotten Wildman’s developmental report from Elwyn and have his first IEP meeting with Ken Crest on March 19th.  The report basically said that he has ADHD, behavioral delays, social delays, and fine motor skill delays and is sensory seeking.  We find out what services he qualifies for after the IEP.  Should be the start of a new adventure. I hear so many bad things about the system and services not being given as needed.  We will see what kind of fight we are in for. I hope they are not sending him off to full time preschool for the summer.  I really wanted the time with both boys this summer.  I think I can do an excellent job of getting him to group activities and I feel like this may be one of the last summers I will not be working a real job and will have the time for them.  Last summer we went to a twice-weekly playgroup that was run like a preschool class, we went to the park, the zoo, museums, hiking, not to mention the pool and swimming lessons.

Today Wildman “graduated” from our private OT.  We now have the skills to help him with his sensory issues at home.  He has caught up alot and is in such a different place then where he was in September.  His therapist made his session really fun today.  She let him bake cookies and offer them to the other OT patients.  He was then able to bring home the rest.  She paid me a compliment and told me I was doing a good job and that he was going to do very well in life.  She had me crying all the way home. I really hope she is right and I can do well by this kid.  I love him so much and really want to do the best for him.