How's the school year going?

[jj]

So good to have you pop in again jfla. I most certainly remember you. That is wonderful news about your son doing so well and is loving it! I hope you are doing just as well as your son! Update us again in a couple years. Or sooner! lol

[bugsmom]

Jfla...OMG...what a wonderful surprise to hear from you!! I am just thrilled your son is doing so well. I have often thought of him over the years and it's just wonderful to hear how far he's come!

Once again, your words are like a warm hug. I can't tell you how many time when my son was very little your posts would lift me up. Please drop by more often and spread your wisdom...I always took your responses to heart

[katiekat]

Hi everyone! I have not been here in forever, I know. Not because things are so wonderful that I don't need any advice or suggestions but quite the opposite actually. I've pretty much given up.

I knew Sean would have a rough time in middle school but it's way beyond what I imagined. He is failing 4 classes. He refuses to do classwork. He does not pay attention in school. He does not bring home his homework. Even with constant monitoring of the homework website and almost daily emails with various teachers we still cannot seem to help him. Mainly because he does not care. He lies constantly about everything, he is getting into fights both verbal and physical. He complains about being "picked on" yet when I call I have heard from teachers and the principal about how HE is actually the instigator. He is disrespectful to us all, he takes no responsibility and blames everyone else for everything, he argues every last thing we say, he still puts his hands on his little sister constantly, he throws trash on the floor, he flat out refuses to listen to anything we ask him to do period. If he doesnt want to do something...he just wont do it, period the end. He still uses the "I dont know" "I forget" "I dont remember" excuses for everything. His reading, writing, spelling skills are still horribly behind and Id place him at about a 3rd grade level academically and a 6 year old maturity wise. And just last week he threatened another child in school that he was going to "cut his ears off with a knife." I don't know how I have stuck around, I truly dont. His father and his mother are both at the place I was at years ago...because I have given them both more responsibility when it comes to Sean. I still handle most things however I have definitely spread them out more between the 3 of us. So as I had to say years ago, this has nothing to do with the fact he is not biologically mine...both biological parents are at their wits end too. We are all considering the fact that Sean may have to go somewhere for some inpatient treatment, now the problem will be finding a place and having them admit him. Wish I had better news but well....this is my life.

[bugsmom]

Holy Cow, KK...I don't even have words. I've been wondering what's been going on. From your FB posts, I knew it wasn't good. I don't even know what to say, or even can begin to figure out what you should do.

This is what pi$$es me off about mental health. You try everything you can, and the care is just NOT there. There are so many kids like Sean and there just isn't any good options for parents that desprately need inpatient care. Unless your child hurts someone, or theatens to hurt themselves, your left in the dark. And even if those things do happen, your kid is hospitalized for 3 days and thrown to the wolves. I seen this happen everyday when I worked at the children's mental health clinic...just broke my heart to watch the parents beg for help and not receive it.

Here in Michigan, there is only day programs for these kids. When I was in college 25 years ago (studying sp. ed) we had fantastic in-patient hospitals for kids like Sean. We had to voluneer at them for credit. Every single one of them are now closed. I mean, do they think mentally ill children just went away??? Drives me nuts.

I keep you in my prayers everyday KK. My heart breaks when I see your FB posts that are Sean related. I don't know how you do it....