Prozac and Public School

That's what the psychiatrist recommended for Violet. She thinks that public school would be good for her socially (yeah, I know :p) and would challenge her more than she is being challenged at home right now.

We talked quite a lot , and are holding off on any Apergers talk for now for her. It might come up later, but she didn't see immediate signs. Her anxieties are worrisome though, as are the suicidal tendencies, so for now we are starting on a very low dose of Prozac for her.

At the moment, I just don't know. As you all know, I am very committed to homeschooling, and see the many advantages. But you also know how well Zack has been doing in public school, and how he has blossomed there. But he is older, and a different kid.

On the one hand, I wonder whether it would be too much for Violet. Whether she is going to be even more shy and scared of the world. Or will it give her an opportunity to make more friends and be less shy? So many things cannot be predicted at the moment.

I will call public school and ask for an evaluation, to see whether there is any learning disabilities going on. She was a very late reader, just like Zack. Her math tests really low, even if she does well one on one with me. I will take it from there. Think about it. Ponder it, talk to people about it.

Any feedback will be appreciated. This is not an easy decision.

The prozac in a way was an easier decision, since it is such a low dose, and she clearly is in a dark place at the moment. All her art, all her stories, have a very dark undertone. She has frequent very scary nightmares. I hope the prozac will give her the little push she needs to get out of this place.

Although I am still party struggling with the fact that my children are on 'mind drugs' but that is my struggle and doesn't change my decision. It's something I will work through.

Violet

She had her 3rd therapy appointment, and the counselor recommended her seeing the psychiatrist. To at least get some help with sleep, maybe with the depression too. So next Wednesday, she'll see the psychiatrist, the same one Zack sees. So the nice thing is that the psychiatrist knows the family history already.

Today, Zack saw his case manager and talked to CPS (connected to the pending divorce). Tuesday, we'll have therapy therapy in the morning (8am!), and Violet and Zack both will see their therapists in the afternoon. Wednesday, Violet will see the psychiatrist. This all on top of normal life. Never boring around here :)

Oh, and did I mention the snow storm ? We are really getting so much snow this winter.

Violet

In the midst of all this, Violet (10yo) started her counseling sessions. She had the second one last week. She had to fill out some questionaires and it turns out that last year, she was feeling suicidal thoughts, including making specific plans.

She thought about stabbing her heart with a knife, but was afraid that would hurt too much. She also considered hanging herself.

She doesn't have those thoughts at the moment, so that is good. And I am very grateful for our family therapist that he saw she internalizes too much and got her into individual therapy.

It sucks to hear that your 10yo daughter wanted to kill herself :(

Changes

Sorry, I haven't updated much here lately, life was a bit crazy. I asked my husband to leave, long story, but the readers digest version basically is that he crossed one line too many. We are trying to do an amicable divorce (as far as that is possible) but things STILL are stressful. I feel like I am on a rollercoaster ride, even if I know it was the right decision for the kids and me.

We (the kids and me) moved out of the house for a few days while he was making up his mind. Zack did wonderful even with all this change, and is still doing very well at school.

The medical bills still are a mess though, although we slowly are making progress. I really need to get started on insurance and the hospital bills, but the happenings of the last few weeks got me a bit distracted :p