How's the school year going?

[bugsmom]

Just wanted to check in and see how everyone's school year is going. We're almost 1/2 way through...lol. Miss hearing updates about everyone's kids. Just wanted to see how everyone is doing

[misty]

Doing pretty well here. I can't believe in a few short months Shannon will be graduating! Where does the time go? She's in a couple programs at school that are geared towards helping her transition. There is a woman who comes & takes Shannon on work experiences in places that she may end up working after college, get her used to riding the bus, working in her "field", etc. She was really lucky to get into that program as it was a result of a grant the school got & there were only 2 spots. Then she works with a man who helps kids with LD's transition after HS. He is helping her fill out college apps & apply for scholarships & grants. Her teacher is taking her on field trips to secondary schools she is interested in. Shannon is getting excited about life after HS. It seems to be coming up way to fast for me though...lol. I have to get used to this next phase.

[aimee8305]

Its been ages....But I have been super busy at work and with Dakota.

He is doing sooo good school wise. He is doing better with listening to me and follow thru with things that I ask. Still gets tricky tho. He definitely is still extremely defiant but I am learning how to talk to him and not yell at him.....Thats been hard for me. But Im trying.

But school...He's fabulous!!!

How bout y'all? ;D

[aimee8305]

Hey everyone!!

So I take back what I said about Dakota and school...well kinda. He is getting in trouble because all he wants to do is read. I have explained that he is a fabulous reader and to keep it up but there are other things in school that he HAS to do. He says he gets frustrated and that he is a jerk and stupid!! OMG!!!!! that breaks my heart! We have our monthly appointment with Dr thurs....

[Tigger]

Well it sounds like everyone else has had a wonderful year so far, my kids all are doing good, we had a little problem with meds and insurance we lost our insurance for a month because they got our address wrong so they stopped our insarance, so Adams grade fell but we finally got everything back on track and now michael has 3 nights detention for mouthing off with a teacher and now we have alot of other issues he was calling his younger brother names and hurt his younger brother and adam took a wooden brush and thru it at him, well it hit michael in the face and shattered half of his tooth where there isnt much left so now we are heading on thursday out of town to go see a root canal specialist to see if he can help if not then the dentist is hoping maybe braces to see if the braces will pull the tooth down, or maybe pull the tooth out and put a retainer in there with a fake tooth but this is all so frustrating and the dentist told us he will continue to have problems with this tooth for the rest of his life, i dont know what to do, adam is upset because he did this and michael should be feeling bad because he called his brother names but said he will do it again, that he didnt learn anything from this i just not sure what to do anymore with either of them, any sudjecstions anyone???, so i turned your post into a vent but needed to get it out

[bugsmom]

Misty...I can't believe Shannon is graduating this year! I mean, I know she is, but it just blows me away! Lol!! It sounds like her school is so awesome. It's got to be so wonderful to know they are so helpful in helping her succeed beyond high school. What does she want to study or go into after school? I don't think you've ever told us that. I'm so happy for her...she's come such a long way.

Aimee...I was so excited to see that Dakota is having a good year. I had to laugh that your little guy is having trouble with the "reading too much" issue. I was thinking that is so awesome, but I could see how that would be an issue with his teachers. I so understand the "I'm a jerk and stupid" comments. Mine still does that when he does something wrong. It's soooooo hard to watch and deal with. I guess all you can do is try to re-assure them that they are wonderful, but just need to work in certain areas. I wish I could give more advice, but like I said, I still deal with that.

Oh, Tigg...the tooth thing sounds awful! I hope things work out and everthing can be fixed. Boys are very rough, and I can't imagine how hard it is to have two. Let us know how the dental appointment goes.

Well, my Bug has a rough year so far. I have to say, this is the first year we've had academic issues, and its been tough. Junior year is turning out to be very demanding, and his classes are much harder than years before. To top it off, the school has been in overdrive about the kids doing well on their SAT's and ACT's and it has put Josh's anxiety into panic mode. Since the first day of school, they have focused on these tests, and I've about had it! My focus is getting him through this year, not about getting a good number on a test. So, needless to say, its been very trying. He's done well in most of his classes, but for the very first time, he failed Algebra 2 for the semester. He ended up getting a D the first quarter, and a D the second quarter, but because he failed the semester final, he failed the semester. He is devestated...more than devestated...he's broken. I've tried to make him realize its just a semester, but because its a class they have to pass to graduate, he's gone into full panice mode. He starts credit recovery on Wednesday so that he can have the 1/2 credit made up by the end of this school year. I'm praying he'll do ok.

So, I'm just counting down the days of this junior year to be over...lol. Way too much stress on these kids. We're going to travel to the college Josh wants to go to over spring break. I'm hoping it will give him a boost and let him see what he's working so hard for.

[misty]

Bugsmom, Shannon wants to do something with writing. She has been looking into classes at the local community college for next year. Going full time at a college away from home is too much with her anxiety so she is going to just take a couple classes the first year so she can commute & get used to college life without the pressure of a full time schedule. One of her teachers has been helping her gather info on classes & financial aid & they have visited the community college....there's a branch in the same plaza as her HS so they just walked! Her volunteer position turned out to be at the science center. She goes once a week with the woman who coordinated it & they have a blast! She has to talk to patrons about the exhibits so she's over coming some of her anxiety issues as well. Plus she gets into any exhibit free, gets free parking, can take friends & family in for half price, & gets access to the archives (which she LOVES) so its been a wonderful experience so far.

Tig, I don't have any suggestions as I don't have any first hand experience with sibling rivalry, but I sure hope you can workout something & hope the tooth can be fixed.

Aimee, I know exactly what you are going through. Shannon is an avid reader too & got in trouble many many times for reading in class instead of doing her class work. Yes, it's frustrating, especially since reading is something we like to encourage.

[jfla2]

Hi All!!
Wow! I can't believe how these kids are all growing up! Perhaps you remember me as jfla, tho I haven't been here for more than a few years. It's great to hear of their strengths and successes! Big congratulations! Theirs is a tough road and I trust that the current challenges will eventually become more success stories as they each figure out how to work it through. But I guess mostly I want to congratulate you the parents, so involved, dedicated and supportive to ensure the best for their kids. They are so lucky to have parents as you. Long story short on my son (dx'd adhd/ld/dysgraphic/gifted) is that he really blossomed in college and is now in a top 20 Phd program in math, working hard and loving it as well as loving life. Wishing you and yours the best!

[aimee8305]

UPDATE!!
I took Dakota to his dr appt and his doc kept him on same med but chaged it to extended release. He says he feels better and he can tell when its working. So far so good!! I havent gotten and notes sent home or emails. Keep your fingers crossed

[charliegirl]

Its great to hear the good reports. Jfla, its great to hear from you and I'm glad your son is doing so well in college! Its very inspiring.