What a week it’s been. First I sent Moose in his Sunday best on the first day of school, when there was a uniform.
Looks like someone didn’t get the memo.
Whatever. I have awesome pictures.
But still. I was a teacher. How did I miss the mark on that one?
In the brownie points department, I did have all of his school supplies perfectly labeled and organized. And his school fee was paid.
Cuz I am awesome like that.
In a nutshell, Moose is adjusting. He did leave school FULL OF POOP on Wednesday, but that issue has been nipped in the “butt” with the teacher.
No snark allowed with teachers, people. I am all puppies dogs and ass-kissing when it comes to those who care for my young.
Especially, because Ms. Cure* {named change obviously}, is early childhood special ed autism, I want to send her on a trip to Tahiti. Maybe a spa day.
I can barely deal with just one autistic Moose, but having 16 different IEPs in 2 different sections of PreK and plenty of HMPs {High Maintenance Parents -code word for pains in the ass in school lingo}, she deserves a freakin’ academy award and a spa day each weekend.
I admit. I hated on the HMPs when I was a bright-eyed 20 something fresh from grad school with ideas abound in my skull. With a lot of knowledge and not so much know how.
Being a mother is a tough job. Being a mother of a child with a special need is a gut-wrenching, blood curdling job.
Now, I am on the otherside of the desk. A mom of one of those kids I would see on my class list and be a little nervous about. After all, special ed was merely ONE class in my grad program. Most general ed teachers have little in the means of working with kids with special needs. Truthfully, I was a teacher and know plenty of them. IEPs alone should require a separate legal degree.
I am not the one calling the shots with the gradebook in hand.
I am a mother with a head of anger and a broken heart with a son who is physically ill and labeled as autistic.
The parent in the parking lot.
who is letting go of some control.
Strangely, I am okay with that for now.
Because I need the help, damn it.
I am drowning with this kid, and this school, this “instructional special ed preK” classroom is my buoy.
Monkey is having a harder time adjusting to the Moose and the PreK predicament. “Me Go in house school. No Monkey. Me want house. House! House!” Enter five minute tantrum.
Monkey proceeds to flail his 30 lb body on the parking lot where stupid Chicago teenagers drink their beer bottles and chuck it at their old grammar school.
I was one of those stupid kids. And now I am the mom picking up the shards of glass.
Just a mom in the parking lot, watching my little boy hold the hand of an aide I may have forgotten the name of already, disappear into the building that I hope will lead us closer to the real Moose.
The boy who smiled and looked me in the eye.
The boy who answered questions when I asked.
The boy who is still buried deep down inside of this word, this label, this word that makes people wince and shudder.
I want to find what did this to you, Moose, and take it in a dark alley.
Oh Nicolette. I’m sending you a huge big cuddle and a squeeze. I really do hope the school fulfills your hopes.
Madison xxx
What a difficult week for you. More power to that dear lady for what she’s doing to take care of your son. I hope it continues to get easier on you all.
This is a very powerful and honest post – you sound like an amazing person and amazing mother. I hope as the term goes on he will adjust and look forward to school!
Jo-Anna
Aw! I loved this post! I love your son! He’s the cutest thing I have ever seen! Loads of Mwahs for him! I’m so happy to hear about his teacher! She sounds like such a sweetheart! Loads of love for Mommy Nicky and Baby Moose! X0X0X0
This is a beautiful post. Love to the little guy and good luck.
Adrianne
Lots of love to your little Moose in finding his way back. You’re so lucky to have found a specialist.
My BFF’s son looked you in the eye and talked until after the 2yr old MMR shot. Yes, I realize “they” have conclusively found no link, but it doesn’t stop this from being his truth. It was a long road back, but today he is attending 5 hr tryouts for the JV football team and will be starting regular main stream freshman classes in a couple of weeks(we start late in NY.) He’s had 2 girlfriends and a core group of friends, and by all accounts is doing exceptionally well not just for an autistic kid, but for any 14 year old.
Good luck in this upcoming year. I hope this teacher and this school help to bring him back.
Good luck on this transition; being a pain-in-the-ass parent can be difficult for the teachers (I remember!), but I bet in this particular situation parent-involvement is crucial to success. I’m glad you can unburden yourself a little. I hope this year brings you happiness.
By the way, love the new header
I appreciate the honesty in your posts…I think you are a great advocate for your son’s health. You inspire me!
I hope Moose excels throughout the preschool process!
I just found your blog and love, love it!! Our stories are so similar. We also have a 3.5 year old son on the spectrum and are going the biomedical route. He is in a peer-integrated special ED PreK. I was so nervous to send him once he turned 3 and aged out of Early Intervention. We started in January, and it has been one of the best things for him. He has made so much progress overall, but especially socially!!! The teachers and the overall environment have achieved things with him that I had no clue how to address, and hadn’t even dreamed he would achieve so quickly.
I know it is SOOOO hard to let strangers have your baby. I never planned on sending my kids to preschool. I dreamed of sitting down on the living room floor and teaching them all the preschool things they needed to know.
The good news is it gives me a couple hours break three days a week and time to give some one on one attention to little brother (not yet one).
Thanks for your honesty and candid posts regarding all we deal with on a day to day basis!
Preschool is gonna be awesome