I'll give you a Christmas card.
Or not.
This is the first year since the kids were born that I did not get my Christmas cards out in the mail lickety-split the day after Thanksgiving. Gasp!
Here they sit in a little bag, unaddressed, not yet ready to go.
But let's talk about Riley.
She is having trouble in math. She is a perfectionist. If she does not already know the concept, she gets incredible anxiety and freaks and then gets further behind, creating a snowball effect. With great dramatic flair, she's been ripping up her papers and stomping over to the garbage can during class to dispose of her hard work.
I'm meeting with her teachers on Tuesday in an effort to figure out what is the trigger and what can we do about it. Her teachers thus far have been wonderful, but I do have some residual fear from a couple of past experiences. One where she was kicked out of preschool, and another in which we were told we were STUPID by a principle, (for requesting she be in a grade level appropriate for her academic ability, not a grade behind).
Autism is a "cutting edge" disabilty, blowing the people who normally deal with childhood "issues" out of the water. There are no experts.
I have born the brunt of the blame from people who haven't caught up with autism. I've been judged by family, doctors, educators, nurses, therapists, neighbors, people in line at the grocery store, etc. So when HT blew off my concerns about this upcoming meeting, it kinda sorta set me off. AT&T! I could not get to my google! I have a meeting next week I have to prepare for! It is important! I'm supposed to already know everything! No one is helping me! I'm ripping up my papers and stomping to the garbage in a panic!
If my Christmas cards are late, I hope you'll understand. I'm busy, teaching my "daughter" you don't have to be perfect.
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12 comments:
I love you and everything about you.
Period.
Your "greetings" are in your posts.
Fuck the cards.
Love you.
Suzy
As a fellow not doer of cards this year as a first, also, I say screw it, too! You've got enough on your plate anyway, and you basically spread good will all year. :)
In honor of you and Riley, I'm throwing my To Do list in the trash right now. Perfectionism shmectionism!
Call them New Year's cards and have an eggnog. The holidays are supposed to be enjoyable.
BTW, that is EXACTLY Miss M's m.o. at school, with the Math, the frustration, the ripping up.
We've worked out an incentive program, and it really works. For working agreeably, she gets a poker chip. After 5 poker chips, she gets a BORDERS $5 gift card (which I happily provide the teacher, and she presents with much fanfare) and a trip to Mr. L's room (her teacher last year that adores her and she adores him) to student teach in her field of expertise, English. It makes the math go down much easier.
You know, Michelle, I wish I could just have coffee with you half the time, and talk about our incredibly similar girls. Email me here : tkizzle50@gmail.com ANYTIME.
And relax about those f*****g cards. They'll get there. In time.
This post was perfect.
Well, as perfect as anyone ever needs to be.
I for one love a great New Years card.
Our Christmas cards never made it out the door last year. My mom sends her after Christmas sometimes.
I haven't done Christmas cards since....I'm not sure when. I just don't worry about it anymore.
About math...
Riley's school probably uses a 'fuzzy' math curriculum. (It might be Everyday Math or Investigations, for example). These types of math programs are horrible for the math education of all kids but it especially drives autistic kids crazy. The programs jump from topic to topic. Just when she seems to be getting it, they move on to a completely unrelated topic and it starts all over again. Also, the topics are not taught thoroughly. They teach the kids to 'guess and check'.
So the first place you want to go is http://kitchentablemath.blogspot.com/.The two founders of the board both have autistic children and many of the parents who post do also. There is an archive sections that you can search. Ask any questions and you will get a knowledgeable answer.
One more thing: remind Riley that you can't learn anything without making mistakes. If you already knew how to do it, you wouldn't have to learn it.
Good Luck
Anne Dwyer
You go, girl! First things First. Family is always FIRST.
She sounds just like me, when it comes to math. So.Not.Kidding.
Hope it goes well.
ox :)
If cards were important, you'd have gotten one from me. . I NEVER get those cards out in time. I thought I just might send last years Valentines instead this year. We all still love you-RELAX
What? We don't have to be perfect? Now I feel better about my cards still sitting without stamps.
I'm with Suzy, Fuck the cards. They're such a pain in the neck and take up so much time -the children want to spend time with YOU - not watch you stress over some stupid cards!
Peace
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