This year we're all trying to adjust to a new school, since the School Board closed the one the girls went to before. The principal has great intentions for building a sense of community among the students, which I really appreciate.

But...

Nikki has trouble getting herself to the bus line-up after school, and the principal, not knowing her very well, decided that we should put Nikki's 11 year-old sister in charge of that. Unfortunately, her sister has a life, and isn't always available. Okay then, let's get other students involved, he says. Between me, Nikki's teacher and another teacher who actually had to pick Nikki up and carry her to the bus last year, we managed to convince the head honcho that Nikki needs an actual adult to supervise her. (What 8 year-old respects and obeys another child anyway??) They're going to try to rearrange the TA's hours so she can stay the extra 5 minutes to make sure Nikki is a good girl after school.

Sometimes I wish it was okay to duct tape the 'authorities' to the wall and show them video footage of my child being uncooperative so they'd believe me.

Well, that was me venting. Thanks for listening.

Oh--don't give up, and don't be afraid to ask people to support you when you know what needs to be done. You'd be amazed at what a group of determined women (okay, maybe men too) can accomplish when they won't take no for an answer.

Susan

Way to go Mom!!

Rhonda

You go!! Often we parents are the only advocates our children have! I am very fortunate to have a wonderful principal, teacher, and even bus driver for Jasmine but I was on another d/s site and found a distraught mother. Her son 9 years old with d/s had come home with his shoes duct taped to his feet. Now I don't know about anyone else but Jasmine had an aversion to shoes too, infact she still does but her teacher gave logical consequences such as only children with shoes on may go outside for recess! Oh, we tried timeouts but Jasmine just went to sleep. Praise God we have a very patient teacher and now Jasmine is in the 4th grade and she usually keeps them on at school and often asks before removing them at home! I did have one bus driver who asked the principal to send the handicap bus for Jasmine but the principal said No, this mother wants her child treated as much like all the other kids as possible. The only trouble they have on the bus is Jasmine does not always like to stay seated but now they put her right by the bus driver and she is doing better. Sorry to ramble but I just want everyone to know some teachers, principals etc do understand. God bless you and I hope you get it all worked out Tami

Heeheehee!
Nikki wears her shoes all the time. She just refuses to wear socks. (It's a bit of a challenge to keep her shoes smelling good, but you can't have everything.)
Things are going better at bus time now that everyone is more accepting of the fact that some kids just need supervision 24/7.

Hi, Jasmine's biggest rebellion this year is comming inside after recess. She is not usually a behavior problem she's generally very compliant but this year she punched a teacher in the stomach for making her come inside! My sis said my big mistake was praying for patience because she said God figures what good are they if you never need to use them? Have a great day and God bless Tami

Oboy, I remember praying for patience too. You stop doing that after you have 3 or 4 kids, because look where it got you!
I've got to admit though, I am a more patient mom than I was before Nikki came along. One of the things I'm heard saying a lot is, "Well, it's not the end of the world." Which is so much better than blowing my lid and getting all stressed out about little things like a helpful weeder pulling every single flower out by the roots. (Sound of a mother sighing...)

yes, my very favorite quote is "this too shall pass!" There is a christian author named Barbara Johnson and she says nowhere in the Bible does it say this too has come to stay! Have a great day Tami