Today while the early Intervention team was at the house assessing the baby for services, the middle school principal called re: James' and his continued bullying of another child. He was suspended recently for a day for pushing the same kid out of a chair and dumping milk on his head. Bullying is a hot button issue in our humble area of New England where in the past year two young children have taken their own lives in response to excessive bullying.
James friend Sanjeet comes over to play. They were reminded NOT to have wrestling matches or pillow fights in the family room (an on-going problem), that if they want to wrestle, they need to do it OUTSIDE. So, of course, within 5 minutes, I must excuse myself from the Early Intervention Intake and go to the family room where I find James Standing on the fine upholstered chair with a pillow in mid swing and Sanjeet crouched, ready to spring in response. OUT>SIDE>NOW>BOYS!!!!!!!
Ten minutes of relative peace and quiet. Well, if you don't count the crying baby or both dogs barking at James saying goodbye to Sanjeet in the driveway... The Team finishes and leaves.
4:30 pm The sitter comes to watch James while I take Bobby and the baby to Bobby's weekly therapy appointment- The baby is totally crashed (having been poked and prodded and assessed by the Early Intervention Team). I wind up telling James the sports yard is off limits and he needs to play where we can see him. I collect Bobby and because we are late for therapy, I leave the sleeping baby AND James with the sitter for the HALF HOUR until The Other Mother gets home.....A HALF HOUR PEOPLE!!!!! What could happen???? Welllllll...
In that half hour, James decided to run away AGAIN. The Other Mother was minutes from the house when the sitter called in tears because James was GONE. We called the police and let them come...James was hiding in the woods (with the hungry bear...though I think the Bear was probably more scared being in the woods with the volatile 13 year old...) James told the cops he "needed a little space". He admitted last time the cops were here he was purposely hiding - but this time he just needed space........Okay.....
I get home from therapy. We have dinner. The Other Mother and I try to come up with a game plan...We decide we'll speak with James tomorrow AFTER talking to the Social Worker.
Wait, this gets better: After dinner James asks when Sanjeet can sleep over. HUH??? You two can't be left for 5 minutes alone...a sleepover isn't happening anytime soon.
Anyhow...I am freakin' exhausted. I've lost my sense of humor and I just want an issue free day....
Don’t laugh. I can dream; can't I????
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I was just talking to a friend of mine on the phone the other night. She has a special needs child and some family issues. We, of course, are foster parents. I told her every time we say the phrase, "And one more thing..." we should get together for a drink. She said we don't have enough nights of the week. Then we laughed good, stress relieving belly laughs at nothing funny in particular.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance for good belly laugh, or a strong drink!
or some chocolate. May today be a calmer day... if that is possible.
ReplyDeleteNext time you could you just write "bear" instead of "juvenile bear". Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteMaybe next time you are meeting the hilltown Moms you should double your apricot jelly on your bagel and go for the Hard Cider!
ReplyDeleteYou make my day!!!!
Hugs! You picked the right name for your blog! You've got so much dama over there! Hope things get better soon.
ReplyDeleteThis almost sounds mean, but it's nice to know that there are other crazy people out there who understand what my life is like. It makes me feel less alone.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer some great advice, but I have none to give.
However, I can say that tomorrow starts fresh--here's to sleeping in!
The bear was probably shaking in his pretty brown fur. :)
ReplyDelete