LOL
So, time has literally flown by. We're 2 1/2 years later, and I feel like my life has "flipped, turned upside down". (Cue Will Smith).
My "little Jack" isn't so little anymore. In fact, he's several inches taller than me, and only 2 1/2" shorter than his dad. I know he's still going through puberty, but he really "grew the F up", and fast. I guess the average is 2" a year, and he's pretty much been on schedule with that. He's also surpassed me in weight, which he might have already done the last time I posted, but at least he seems to have thinned out as he's gotten taller. Of course, outside of "pool season", I almost have *no* idea what my child's legs or abdomen or chest look like. He definitely doesn't want to be seen.
We are about two months shy of the end of 8th grade. My IEP meeting (the one preceeding the transition to high school!) is taking place in one month. I guess I'm not too terrified about it. I'm terrified about my son moving to yet another school, meeting new people, seeing old friends from his first elementary school, etc.. but I've already had a pre-IEP meeting with his Intervention Specialist, to make sure that we're on the same page with goals, supports, etc.
Perhaps the scariest thing right now is that Jack has been doing so overwhelmingly good this year- actually since November of 2016- that I'm freaked that once he moves to the high school, all of the hard work will be ruined. If that makes no sense, well.. think of how long it takes typical kids to adjust to a routine or a new environment. Then, if you know any children with Autism or other learning disabilities, you'll know how much longer it can take those children to adjust. We've been at this middle school for three years now. It's taken about that long to stop receiving near-daily phone calls from the Principal, VP, or Intervention Specialist. I don't know if it's the meds- he's been on the same medications for a while, since he started seeing a child psychiatrist. Whatever it is, whatever has caused the changes in my son, even his school is like "Let's bottle this sh-t up!". I really dread the thought of losing that. The high school is SO huge, the minutes between classes is way shorter, he'll see kids he didn't get along with when he was little, etc.
In the last 3-4 months, my son has also made some very mature choices for himself. He's eating better (and losing weight!), he's saving his money, he's finally warmed up to the idea of wearing jeans, and he let us cut his hair (for the first time since before the school year started). He's also decided to stop eating meat. I thought maybe a girl said something about his appearance, or perhaps he has a crush on a teacher. I just have no idea. He's just trying. Trying something different. I guess maybe it doesn't matter why, so long as he's happy. He seems to be. He also seems to appreciate the independence he's been afforded, as we've started letting him walk to the gas station to get himself treats. Being out in the community is a big deal (for a parent, anyway), and so far, he's handled it pretty well. There have only been a few instances where he thought he had his money with him, and didn't. LOL (Meltdown waiting to happen, but he just walked home, got his money, and then I drove him back).
In the mean time, my daughter, Savannah, is struggling. Her trip through puberty seems to be much slower. She's struggling with some of her classes, and has been hanging out with a completely different crowd than she was when she first started her Freshman year. (They're not bad kids, I suppose. Just not really my choice for her). She's going to be a junior next year, which is frightening. Her friends are all starting to drive, and she doesn't even have a learner's permit yet. Hopefully this summer we'll get on that.
There's so much to write here - nearly 3 years worth - but I'm not really sure where to start. Guess this was as good a place as any.
So, time has literally flown by. We're 2 1/2 years later, and I feel like my life has "flipped, turned upside down". (Cue Will Smith).
My "little Jack" isn't so little anymore. In fact, he's several inches taller than me, and only 2 1/2" shorter than his dad. I know he's still going through puberty, but he really "grew the F up", and fast. I guess the average is 2" a year, and he's pretty much been on schedule with that. He's also surpassed me in weight, which he might have already done the last time I posted, but at least he seems to have thinned out as he's gotten taller. Of course, outside of "pool season", I almost have *no* idea what my child's legs or abdomen or chest look like. He definitely doesn't want to be seen.
We are about two months shy of the end of 8th grade. My IEP meeting (the one preceeding the transition to high school!) is taking place in one month. I guess I'm not too terrified about it. I'm terrified about my son moving to yet another school, meeting new people, seeing old friends from his first elementary school, etc.. but I've already had a pre-IEP meeting with his Intervention Specialist, to make sure that we're on the same page with goals, supports, etc.
Perhaps the scariest thing right now is that Jack has been doing so overwhelmingly good this year- actually since November of 2016- that I'm freaked that once he moves to the high school, all of the hard work will be ruined. If that makes no sense, well.. think of how long it takes typical kids to adjust to a routine or a new environment. Then, if you know any children with Autism or other learning disabilities, you'll know how much longer it can take those children to adjust. We've been at this middle school for three years now. It's taken about that long to stop receiving near-daily phone calls from the Principal, VP, or Intervention Specialist. I don't know if it's the meds- he's been on the same medications for a while, since he started seeing a child psychiatrist. Whatever it is, whatever has caused the changes in my son, even his school is like "Let's bottle this sh-t up!". I really dread the thought of losing that. The high school is SO huge, the minutes between classes is way shorter, he'll see kids he didn't get along with when he was little, etc.
In the last 3-4 months, my son has also made some very mature choices for himself. He's eating better (and losing weight!), he's saving his money, he's finally warmed up to the idea of wearing jeans, and he let us cut his hair (for the first time since before the school year started). He's also decided to stop eating meat. I thought maybe a girl said something about his appearance, or perhaps he has a crush on a teacher. I just have no idea. He's just trying. Trying something different. I guess maybe it doesn't matter why, so long as he's happy. He seems to be. He also seems to appreciate the independence he's been afforded, as we've started letting him walk to the gas station to get himself treats. Being out in the community is a big deal (for a parent, anyway), and so far, he's handled it pretty well. There have only been a few instances where he thought he had his money with him, and didn't. LOL (Meltdown waiting to happen, but he just walked home, got his money, and then I drove him back).
In the mean time, my daughter, Savannah, is struggling. Her trip through puberty seems to be much slower. She's struggling with some of her classes, and has been hanging out with a completely different crowd than she was when she first started her Freshman year. (They're not bad kids, I suppose. Just not really my choice for her). She's going to be a junior next year, which is frightening. Her friends are all starting to drive, and she doesn't even have a learner's permit yet. Hopefully this summer we'll get on that.
There's so much to write here - nearly 3 years worth - but I'm not really sure where to start. Guess this was as good a place as any.
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