I did eventually manage to get him out of bed and off to the bus, phew. It took way more of my time and energy and patience than I really want to spend on getting my kid to school though :p
He fell asleep not too long after getting home and slept for a long time. The good thing was that that enabled him to get up in time for the school bus at 12:20am, although I still had to wake him up. Relatively easily though.
He said science class was 'ok'. They did an experiment with a golf ball in water, adding salt to the water until the golf ball started to float.
Tomorrow I am going to take a day off, even if my hubby has been whining about having to drive Zack and his older brother to their activities. One is robotics anyway, which he participates in, so I don't see the big deal. Oh well.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Some Good, Some Bad
Sleeping still is a pain, I can't get a good grip on it. He missed school on Monday.
Today, he is supposed to visit a mainstream science class. I am having a very hard time getting him out of bed though, even if he was up an hour ago. He says he slept during the night, but I wonder whether he did. There was much cussing and threats involved and trying to claim illnesses why he couldn't go to school. He also said he hates school, I have no idea whether i can get him on the schoolbus. This is such a constant source of stress, it is hard to deal with, it impacts me more than I would like to admit.
Back to getting him out of bed, just wanted to give quick update.
Today, he is supposed to visit a mainstream science class. I am having a very hard time getting him out of bed though, even if he was up an hour ago. He says he slept during the night, but I wonder whether he did. There was much cussing and threats involved and trying to claim illnesses why he couldn't go to school. He also said he hates school, I have no idea whether i can get him on the schoolbus. This is such a constant source of stress, it is hard to deal with, it impacts me more than I would like to admit.
Back to getting him out of bed, just wanted to give quick update.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Off to School!
Even if he didn't sleep at all, or very little, last night, as far as I can tell. He tried going back to bed twice this morning. I woke him up both times before he really fell asleep. He managed to stay awake till bus showed up. Now he is at school, and if he falls asleep, it is their problem ^^
He took on Ambien last night, which looks like it might not be enough.
He took on Ambien last night, which looks like it might not be enough.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
In School
Somehow we got him reset to more 'normal hours'. He must have fallen asleep around 4am last night, which sure beats the falling asleep at 8am. It was hard, but I did eventually get him up for his psychiatrist appointment at 11am.
We decided to give the Ambien another try. This was the one that he said he felt the biggest effect. The pharmacist must wonder about me getting different sleeping meds every one or two freaking weeks.
I will check in with her on Monday, to let her go how things are going. She thinks that social skills therapy would be good for him, so we'll look into that. I don't even have the family therapy and his therapy with his dad set up. We really need more hours in the week!
We had a quick lunch in town, and then arrived home just minutes before school bus did. He is in school now! Woohoo!
I hope by tonight he will be tired enough to sleep at a reasonable hour and get him in school in time for a while.
We decided to give the Ambien another try. This was the one that he said he felt the biggest effect. The pharmacist must wonder about me getting different sleeping meds every one or two freaking weeks.
I will check in with her on Monday, to let her go how things are going. She thinks that social skills therapy would be good for him, so we'll look into that. I don't even have the family therapy and his therapy with his dad set up. We really need more hours in the week!
We had a quick lunch in town, and then arrived home just minutes before school bus did. He is in school now! Woohoo!
I hope by tonight he will be tired enough to sleep at a reasonable hour and get him in school in time for a while.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I Visited School
Decided to drop into school to talk to Gopher in person. He admitted that he was at a loss too, and this was the first time in his school career he had ever seen anything like this. Geez, that is very helpful.
One of the guidance councelors, Dragonfly, came to brainstorm with us. Both Gopher and Dragonfly seemed to think I should just MAKE him go. As Gopher said, I would just scoop him up and deposit him at the school bus. I nodded and smiled at him. Dragonfly came up with many helpful suggestions (all of which we have tried in the past) and decided that a bucket of ice cold water was the best. He was only half joking, as far as I could tell. I nodded and smiled.
They came up with ideas like have the truancy officer show up at our house in the morning, but weren't sure whether that was even possible. I told them that she was more than welcome to come over and try to wake up Zack. I also made it very clear to them that I was not physically able to carry Zack down the stairs to the bus, and they reluctantly agreed that I was right. They asked whether Zack's father would have more success making him do things. I told them they shouldn't hold their breath on that :p
Tomorrow, Zack has a psychiatrist appointment. We'll see whether she has any good ideas, I hope I can get him up in time for that. Otherwise I will just go by myself.
Gopher decided to send Zack an email. It is a very nice email, explaining how he doesn't get credit for unexcused absences, and explaining how this could affect his eventual graduation. He also wondered about confidence issues, and said he would support Zack to help him feel good about being at school. He also said that Zack could choose harder classes, but attendance would have to improve.
Stay tuned for more episodes of the Zack Tales
One of the guidance councelors, Dragonfly, came to brainstorm with us. Both Gopher and Dragonfly seemed to think I should just MAKE him go. As Gopher said, I would just scoop him up and deposit him at the school bus. I nodded and smiled at him. Dragonfly came up with many helpful suggestions (all of which we have tried in the past) and decided that a bucket of ice cold water was the best. He was only half joking, as far as I could tell. I nodded and smiled.
They came up with ideas like have the truancy officer show up at our house in the morning, but weren't sure whether that was even possible. I told them that she was more than welcome to come over and try to wake up Zack. I also made it very clear to them that I was not physically able to carry Zack down the stairs to the bus, and they reluctantly agreed that I was right. They asked whether Zack's father would have more success making him do things. I told them they shouldn't hold their breath on that :p
Tomorrow, Zack has a psychiatrist appointment. We'll see whether she has any good ideas, I hope I can get him up in time for that. Otherwise I will just go by myself.
Gopher decided to send Zack an email. It is a very nice email, explaining how he doesn't get credit for unexcused absences, and explaining how this could affect his eventual graduation. He also wondered about confidence issues, and said he would support Zack to help him feel good about being at school. He also said that Zack could choose harder classes, but attendance would have to improve.
Stay tuned for more episodes of the Zack Tales
No School Today
And yet another day without school.
I don't know what to say. I have done all that I can do to wake him, things that usually work, but yesterday and today they stopped working. He clearly just is not motivated at all to go to school. The most severe consequence I can come up with at home, is no computer / video games. He clearly didn't care. He just wants to sleep.
I am pretty sure he stayed up all night again, even although he did take his sleep helping meds last night and tried to go to sleep. I suspect he got up halfway the night and went to bed early in the morning (8am?) I cannot prevent him from doing so, since I need sleep too, and frankly, I just do not have severe enough consequences that he cares about.
I haven't talked to the school yet. Yesterday afternoon, the assistant principal left a message for him, making it clear to him that his absence was unexcused. When he got up, Alan, his older brother found the message first. Alan told Zack that there was a message for him, and Zack listened to it. It basically said that he will have to report to the attendance officer today. Which is hard if he isn't in school I guess :p
I had to get my other kids to a meeting, left the meeting early (leaving my kids) to wake up Zack, now will drive back to the meeting. I love juggling...
On the other hand, I am going to treat this as a problem between Zack and the school. It isn't my problem. Heck, compared to all the violence from a few months back, this seems less severe to me. Of course, the school will feel this is more severe, since they didn't suffer the violence, but are suffering the school refusal.
We might end up with a CHINS (child in need of services) which might be a bad thing or a good thing. I don't know what is the best in the long run. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.
This morning, my husband told me helpfully that I just should keep Zack awake till the school bus was here, since he was up till early morning. I have no idea how I would do that, especially since I wasn't even home, going to a meeting with the other kids.
I don't know what to say. I have done all that I can do to wake him, things that usually work, but yesterday and today they stopped working. He clearly just is not motivated at all to go to school. The most severe consequence I can come up with at home, is no computer / video games. He clearly didn't care. He just wants to sleep.
I am pretty sure he stayed up all night again, even although he did take his sleep helping meds last night and tried to go to sleep. I suspect he got up halfway the night and went to bed early in the morning (8am?) I cannot prevent him from doing so, since I need sleep too, and frankly, I just do not have severe enough consequences that he cares about.
I haven't talked to the school yet. Yesterday afternoon, the assistant principal left a message for him, making it clear to him that his absence was unexcused. When he got up, Alan, his older brother found the message first. Alan told Zack that there was a message for him, and Zack listened to it. It basically said that he will have to report to the attendance officer today. Which is hard if he isn't in school I guess :p
I had to get my other kids to a meeting, left the meeting early (leaving my kids) to wake up Zack, now will drive back to the meeting. I love juggling...
On the other hand, I am going to treat this as a problem between Zack and the school. It isn't my problem. Heck, compared to all the violence from a few months back, this seems less severe to me. Of course, the school will feel this is more severe, since they didn't suffer the violence, but are suffering the school refusal.
We might end up with a CHINS (child in need of services) which might be a bad thing or a good thing. I don't know what is the best in the long run. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.
This morning, my husband told me helpfully that I just should keep Zack awake till the school bus was here, since he was up till early morning. I have no idea how I would do that, especially since I wasn't even home, going to a meeting with the other kids.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Well
Today, i was unable to get Zack up for the school bus. It was here at 12:20pm and I told her that I wasn't able to get him up, so she went back to school empty handed.
I just talked to Gopher, his case manager. I told him the current situation, also told him that I suspected he might not have slept at all last night. He was pondering for a bit, first said he would call and leave a message, then decided that he would have the school officer (whoever that is??) who deals with absences, call and leave a message instead. They will stress that he cannot just stay home when he wants and he can't pass and get credits if he isn't there when he should be.
He also was thinking that a visit to the principal could be part of the consequences.
Zack is still blissfully asleep. I tried so hard, but just could NOT get him out of bed, not even with the consequence of not getting his half an hour of computer time, which he usually gets for attending school. He basically couldn't care less.
When he wakes up later today, I'll let him listen to the message. No idea how he will react.
I just talked to Gopher, his case manager. I told him the current situation, also told him that I suspected he might not have slept at all last night. He was pondering for a bit, first said he would call and leave a message, then decided that he would have the school officer (whoever that is??) who deals with absences, call and leave a message instead. They will stress that he cannot just stay home when he wants and he can't pass and get credits if he isn't there when he should be.
He also was thinking that a visit to the principal could be part of the consequences.
Zack is still blissfully asleep. I tried so hard, but just could NOT get him out of bed, not even with the consequence of not getting his half an hour of computer time, which he usually gets for attending school. He basically couldn't care less.
When he wakes up later today, I'll let him listen to the message. No idea how he will react.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Robotics
Tonight, Zack and his father went to the first (intro?) meeting of the robotics club. It seems that Zack is quite interested and would like to join a team. Will be a great activity for him if it works out.
School is still working well, he wants harder classes though, those are too easy. He will visit a mainstream class room later this week, just for a short period, to show him what they are like and see how he does while visiting.
I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop, which I recognize is my problem, not his :p
School is still working well, he wants harder classes though, those are too easy. He will visit a mainstream class room later this week, just for a short period, to show him what they are like and see how he does while visiting.
I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop, which I recognize is my problem, not his :p
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Great Katie Beckett News!
Zack's Katie Beckett has been APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will simplify so many things, he will be able to get more services, we will be able to get medical expenses paid back to May. Of course, still need to figure out HOW to do so, but it has been approved!
Where is the champagne?
Where is the champagne?
School Day Went Well
Yesterday went well at school, and therapy afterwards seems to have been good too. It is nice that he is willing to go by himself now. I can sit in the waiting room and read.
He still is in bed, needs to be at the bus in fifty minutes, so we are back to me stressing out about getting him up and fed in time. I hate this. It is very stressful to me. Feh.
He still is in bed, needs to be at the bus in fifty minutes, so we are back to me stressing out about getting him up and fed in time. I hate this. It is very stressful to me. Feh.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Another School Day
Zack is convinced the throwing up and diarrhea is a side effect of the meds. It happened twice, both times when he took them at night. The new one was Trazodone. It looks like it could be a side effect, I am not sure. I have a call in to the psychiatrist to talk to her about it. For now, Zack totally refuses to take them, and I can't blame him if this would be a side effect.
The good (?) thing is that he didn't sleep at all last night, and now is awake for the 12:20 school bus, in about fifty minutes. After school, he has his therapy, so it is a very busy day. Maybe he'll go to sleep early, and get up in time tomorrow. I can hope, right?
The good (?) thing is that he didn't sleep at all last night, and now is awake for the 12:20 school bus, in about fifty minutes. After school, he has his therapy, so it is a very busy day. Maybe he'll go to sleep early, and get up in time tomorrow. I can hope, right?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Sick
Last night, Zack started throwing up and having pretty bad dhiarrea. He didn't sleep at all, so he now is going to sleep (8:30am) and will skip school today. I left a message at the school, to tell his case manager and the bus driver, I hope it works and that the bus won't show up to pick him up.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Back Home!
Woohoo!
He arrived back home at 2:40pm, not bad.
I asked how it went 'Boring'. Which I guess beats 'Badly'. I asked whether the experience was positive, neutral, or negative. He chose neutral.
He said the teacher in English class was very impressed with how many words he knew the meaning of. I am not too surprised by that.
For now, i am cautiously optimistic.
He arrived back home at 2:40pm, not bad.
I asked how it went 'Boring'. Which I guess beats 'Badly'. I asked whether the experience was positive, neutral, or negative. He chose neutral.
He said the teacher in English class was very impressed with how many words he knew the meaning of. I am not too surprised by that.
For now, i am cautiously optimistic.
He's Off!
Schoolbus found us.
I finally did get Zack out of bed. Was pretty hard. He ate two sandwiches and then started cereal, when bus should be here already. I found that *I* had a lot of stress about it all, he seemed calm. I kept worrying about 'what if bus shows up when he is still eating' but all went fine. I clearly have some issues to work on for myself ^^ I guess living with many years of explosions does that to you.
I used deep breathing and calmed my mind, but I could feel the stress the whole morning till he is gone.
The bus showed up during his cereal, but he even was ok with that.
He went to bus, got in and asked 'I thought Gopher would meet me here?' but we explained Gopher would meet him at school. He sat down and buckled and off he went.
Send good school thoughts!
I finally did get Zack out of bed. Was pretty hard. He ate two sandwiches and then started cereal, when bus should be here already. I found that *I* had a lot of stress about it all, he seemed calm. I kept worrying about 'what if bus shows up when he is still eating' but all went fine. I clearly have some issues to work on for myself ^^ I guess living with many years of explosions does that to you.
I used deep breathing and calmed my mind, but I could feel the stress the whole morning till he is gone.
The bus showed up during his cereal, but he even was ok with that.
He went to bus, got in and asked 'I thought Gopher would meet me here?' but we explained Gopher would meet him at school. He sat down and buckled and off he went.
Send good school thoughts!
Long Overdue Update
Sorry for not writing, so much things going on, including visitors who are staying at our house for the week.
Good things:
Bad things:
Today was IEP meeting, which went reasonably well. I desperately want to talk about the IEP with people, but I haven't had any time yet to sit down and enter it and do so. Visitors and school stuff is taking up most of my time, very annoying. Tomorrow, bus will be here at 12:20pm. He will be gone till around 3pm. BTW, he never made it to the freshmen lunch last week, he decided that he didn't want to go after all. Which was not very surprising.
Tonight he told me that he didn't want to go to school. I made it clear to him that it wasn't optional. We'll see how things go tomorrow. Please send good vibes in our direction.
I am still overwhelmed and totally in survival mode. Living by the moment, hoping not to drop too many of the daggers that I am juggling.
Good things:
- Zack's behavior has been excellent since he came home from hospital;
- Zack now regularly sits at the table with his other siblings, which I haven't seen in ages;
- Zack was more flexible today food wise than his older brother;
- Zack will start school tomorrow, and we got rid of the walking program, and replaced it by keyboarding (this was after a lot of bitching by the vice principal, who clearly was very annoyed with us)
- Zack is trying new sleep meds tonight.
- He had therapy session all by himself, even if he declared it 'boring'.
- I managed NOT to sign IEP today, even if they put some pressure on me to do so. I smiled and told them I wanted to think it over and talk to people about it.
Bad things:
- Zack's sleep has been totally messed up again;
- Ambien didn't work, so we switched to clonidine, which seems to do nothing for him; So we are starting new medication today, I am too lazy to get up and get name;
- His new sleep meds do not seem to be working (1:30am and he came down for third time to complain about not being able to sleep.We can still try higher dose though.
- The school is being a pain in the ass about his immunization records, it can't have checkmarks (like dr office gave us), has to have exact dates, and just annoying nitty gritty details like that. It's not that it can't be solved, it is just one more thing to take care of and track and put energy towards. The nurse was very bitchy about the whole thing, which didn't help
Today was IEP meeting, which went reasonably well. I desperately want to talk about the IEP with people, but I haven't had any time yet to sit down and enter it and do so. Visitors and school stuff is taking up most of my time, very annoying. Tomorrow, bus will be here at 12:20pm. He will be gone till around 3pm. BTW, he never made it to the freshmen lunch last week, he decided that he didn't want to go after all. Which was not very surprising.
Tonight he told me that he didn't want to go to school. I made it clear to him that it wasn't optional. We'll see how things go tomorrow. Please send good vibes in our direction.
I am still overwhelmed and totally in survival mode. Living by the moment, hoping not to drop too many of the daggers that I am juggling.
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