Naughty Helen

Oh my goodness, I am soooo not used to having the kids around all day long. As you can see, I had a hard time getting on the computer today. Every time I sat down to get started writing, someone needed something, or, they were nonstop asking when I would be done. I couldn't concentrate, so I gave up and decided to wait until they were in bed. Aaahhh, quiet time!

I met with Helen's teachers last week for a follow up to her IEP from back in February. I don't know if you remember, but they were talking about changing her program which would mean changing schools. They decided not to move her, the program she would have been going into would have done more harm than good. Her teacher told me she is not going to give up on Helen, she is invested. It is my understanding that the program they were talking about putting her in, was the one where they focus on self help skills, that's it. I guess there are behavior issues in that type of class, and her teacher was afraid Helen would pick up on it, and do her more harm than good. Like her teacher said, Helen has the potential, she just needs to start cooperating a little more. The past two days Helen has been acting up at school, so she has gotten sad faces on her chart. I wouldn't know this from seeing her chart because somehow it gets lost before it reaches home. I called her teacher today because of the way she was acting when she got off the bus. She wouldn't come in, she stood out on the sidewalk with her thumb in her mouth (a sign that she knows she did something wrong). It was then that I learned of the naughty behavior Helen has been displaying at school. Do you remember what happens when Helen doesn't get all smiley faces on her chart? Helen does, that's why she "loses" her chart before she gets home. She knows she will not get her favorite snack of pretzels and marshmallows if she has one sad face. She was extremely naughty today, which is why she had her thumb in her mouth and wouldn't come in until she could no longer see me waiting at the door. When she finally got to the door, I asked her how school went, she told me, "No Mommy!" I feel bad she was so naughty, but glad to see she understands her behavior was unacceptable. I am hoping with a good night's sleep she will be better behaved tomorrow at school. I think that had something to do with it. The other kids are done with school so they get to stay up. When I told her it was time for bed because she had school in the morning, she fought in every way possible. I should have been more firm with her, it's hard at night, my energy level is very low. I was able to get her to bed at a decent time tonight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Katie and Grace are dancing at Greek Fest this week-end, I'm working the beer tent on Saturday night. Maybe I'll meet someone...or, maybe not.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue