Monkey has been having trouble socially at school from the beginning. Last February we considered taking him to team with his teacher, the principle, the learning support teacher, and the school psychologist to see what we could do to help him. This fall we started a communication book where he gets check marks if he's good, and x-es if he's bad. He only has to work toward two: listen, and play. He's been getting the listen check marks quite consistently, but the play are fairly spaced out.
Long story short, I've been thinkin of having him assessed for ADHD for a while. I've always sort of suspected that he may have ADHD as I see a lot of my own behaviours in him. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with him, or that he is going to have a hard time in school. His teacher has said that he is very bright and that she has no concerns at all with his academics. He just has to touch. He needs to learn how to control his impulses to touch his friends. He's starting to get a reputation at school, and this makes me so sad!
Last year he hated school, but so far this year he likes it. I think it makes a huge difference that he's getting to spend more time with me too though. Last year we were out the door by 6:45am and I didn't see him until 12:30 at which point I drove him home, took him to the washroom and walked him to school. Then it was 6:00pm or later before I saw him again. While it was a great part-time job, it took me away from my child. By 7:00pm we were getting ready for bed, and the poor kid never got to see me. This year, I can walk him to school, hang out with him after lunch, and just get to know my kid again!
The assessment did show that Monkey has ADHD, so we're going to be eating the Feingold Diet. Dr. Feingold designed the diet in the 1970s to help kids with Autism, Asburgers, ADD, ADHD, bedwetting, and a variety of other issues. Basically we go back to eating like we would have 100 years ago when these disorders were unheard of. Stage one is no artificial flavours, no artificial colours, no BHA/BHT/TBHQ (preservtives), artificial sweeteners, salicylates. Stage two is
Calcium Propionate (CP), Corn Syrup (CS), Sulfite (SF), Sodium Benzoate (SB), Monosodium Glutamate (MSG/HVP), Nitrites/Nitrates (N), and Natural Smoke Flavor (SM).
Now I just have to figure out how to implement the program and we're off to the races!
Monkey's new backpack and lunch box came! He was very excited, and couldn't wait to take it to school and daycare today. He was so funny! He showed Matt proudly and took it off to school this morning telling everyone "This is my new rolly-pully backpack!" I love it!
Yes, that would be Christmas, Yule, Kwanza, Hannuka, or which ever you celebrate. Fall comes and we all start thinking, "Where am I going to find the money this year!?" Or, "Will so and so like this? Do they even like what I get them?" Yes, this cultural phenomon also comes with Santaclaustrophobia. A disease unlike any other. A young child sees Santa, runs to him, gets trapped near him by the photographer, candy helper, or any one else disguised as an elf, and freaks out. Oh the season is wonderful in deed!
This post is not just to bash the upcoming holidays though, so never fear! I really do enjoy the extra time with family and friends. Not the driving, but in our society it's the reality we have created! It's also to request, no beg, that people think before giving. Giving is a wonderful thing to do, but it can be hard to feel grateful when you receive yet another bath kit (I don't take baths though last years was handy for labour soaks), or a candle that smells wonderful (but where am I going to put it). I am grateful, and I love that people think of me. Now please think of me in a different way.
1. Kanga is using the potty. This means that those lovely shirts that button under her to keep her shirt down are actually a pain. For diapered babies they're great, but for pottied babies, they get soaked in pee when rushed to the potty and accidentally dangled, or they hang open all day waiting for that accidental whoops.
2. Kanga is using the potty. I know I sound like a broken record here, but that also means that as helpful as it is to get us disposable diapers, wipes, etc (and I really am grateful! She does use them with daddy, and longer trips), I'm still working through what has been given previously (thanks again!).
3. Kanga is a baby. That being said, she does not need countless toys. If you'd like to get her something to play with, an unfinished wood or cloth toy is best. I can toss the cloth in the wash, the wood has nothing that will make her sick and we're off to the races. Check out her Cheeky Monkey registry for some ideas. Toys'R'Us has some great ones now too!
4. I have a wishlist, and will be making one for Kanga as well. Monkey has one that we need to update as well, but here are the lists. I never remember what it was each of us, including myself, wanted/needed when put on the spot, so browse for ideas, or just pick an item. Up to you! :)
Amanda - Sears #200320689632, Froogle amandak@alumnae.alphaphi.org
Monkey - Sears #200700543249 (also would like martian madness)
Kanga - Sears #200831733448, Cheeky Monkey (search Amanda Coughlin)
Yay! Now don't forget to drop hints as to what you would like or you'll get what you get! :)
I love my Snugli! I decided that I would get a new carrier for this baby (didn't yet know who she was at that point) because the one I had for Monkey was uncomfortable, hurt my back, and a hand me down (thank you for that though!). I got a nice one for $25 and it has been great! It's got padded straps like a backpack, built in criss-cross, and it's super easy to adjust and get Kanga into.
As the weather gets cooler, I start thinking about what I'm going to do for winter clothes. I got Kanga a Jolly Jumper cuddle bag for her carseat, a hat to keep her ears warm, and then thought "she's going to go for walks in a stroller in the winter with day care. She needs a snow suit!" Okay, I can handle a snow suit. Then I thought, "She'll need to wear the snow suit when she's in the Snuggli to keep warm enough when we're out for walks. She's not going to fit!"
I have a Jolly Jumper Snuggle Cover to use as a blanket, but that won't be warm enough in
-20*C! A snowsuit with the cover will be minimal! Anyway, I've been thinking about how I'm going to carry Kanga to Monkey's school. My friend has a mei tai carrier (used in Asia) that I admired, so I'm going to save up for one of those. Baby Hawk has custom made ones and some ready to orders. If there isn't a price difference, then I'm set! Kanga will fit in it until she's ready to walk everywhere that way!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I'm traumatized. Day went smoothly for Monkey though. I dropped him off, he had a great day at school and Matt picked him up right after class. Problem was he wasn't supposed to. He signed him out at the office like a good daddy, and said bye to Monkey's teacher.
I on the other hand, called the after school program at 3:45 to make sure that Monkey got to the program okay, and the worker told me he wasn't there and that he hadn't been Tuesday either. I'd left a message saying he started JK on Wednesday, so they should have known to go find him. I freaked out completely. I told the worker that she had better find my son. He's 4 years old. Where is he! Fighting tears and trying to figure out the next rational thing to do and keep on working with the kids and not freak them out, I decided to call his school and see if the secretary could page his teacher or if she knew anything.
I called the school, and said "It's Amanda Coughlin calling and my son Monkey was to start with the after school program today. He just started JK today and they don't know where he is. Do you have any idea where my son is." I said this as calmly as motherly possibly under the circumstances and frankly my voice sent chills down my spine. The secretary told me it's not her responsibility to know where my child is, and that I need to make arrangements for him. WELL POO HER! She then told me that Matt had picked him up. Why couldn't she tell me that in the first place! Granted I could have called Matt before the school, but I wasn't thinking about him being with his dad, I was thinking the school had my son, likely in his classroom, and the secretary could page the room to check! She also gave me heck for freaking out the workers. Well excuse me, but if my son is lost, they had better be freaking out. He's 4 and it's his first day of school!
Well, I'm angry again right now, and everything worked out fine. Yesterday, I told work I'd be late so I could make sure he got to program okay. I NEEDED that for my peace of mind. I've had 2 nightmares about him being lost since, and with it having been real to me so recently, it's not just the scary dreams, I wake up and run to his room to make sure he is really there. Traumatized! I'm telling you!
Well, another year has begun. I dropped Monkey off at school promptly at 8:45 and waited for school to begin. He met up with his buddies, played tag, got upset when they wanted to play cars, and then wound up playing cars anyway. He had is regular bit of crying when the teachers came because he had to stop playing, but lined up quickly just the same.
I went for a good long walk with two of the mums of his friends, and it was nice to have a walking buddy (or two). When I got home I went to run errands. That errand was the always exciting trip to Cheeky Monkey! I got Kanga some Retro BabyBanz sunglasses just like D's. I had hoped to find a pink, green, anything but black. There was also blue and white, but I don't like the look of white, and even baby blue would have folks saying what a cute baby boy I have! Kanga went potty at Cheeky Monkey and we headed back home.
I made it back in perfect time. Kanga was asleep in her carseat so we went to school with the buggy. Of course she woke up as we were arriving so I moved to a corner to wait for the kids and fed her. Most of the mums started coming around 11:25 and she'd eaten for about 10 min so she was happy again.
Anyway, Monkey had a great first day, as per his teacher's report, and off home we went to grab some lunch!
Day 2 was a little more stressful as the JKs started filtering in. Tuesday was just the SKs so there were only 5 or 6 of them there. Monkey got the whole class, mostly boys and a lot of Nov/Dec birthdays so still 3 years old, barking. His teacher was not amused so I had a chat with him about being a big brother and showing the other kids how to behave at school.
We're going to get a communication book going this year. We had talked about it last year and it just didn't get implemented. I wrote a note (today) letting his teacher know how we do things at home as she had asked for consistancy. At home we use a planner and I check off his chores, activities, etc as he does them. If he has more checks at the end of the week than x-es, then he gets a sticker. If he has a tempertantrum he get's a sad face on that day, and 5 min on the timer to cool down before we talk things through. I got him a school planner, and sounds like things are going to work out!
I'll keep you updated!
