[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by TexasAngel

I am sorry you are having it hard. I am sure he will grow out of it. I bet he misses his dad and just needs attention. Maybe try to give the little guy a hug. That might be just what he needs. He seems like a good kid from what you have said in posts. Keep doing the good job you are doing.

I give him lots lof hugs....I really try to keep my cool with him and remind myself that he is only 8! I just wonder how much more attention he needs. I can't sit at home and be exclusivley fixed on him and never do anything for myself, that's what he seems to want ....I only do things part time and it seems too much. That's what is so frustrating.

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by hikernurse

You're his mom and his best advocate. The school doesn't see how your boy behaves at home and even at school he's probably one of thirty students. The other posters gave good ideas about getting him tested--I had a friend who did that with her son and while it was expensive (it was through a local children's hospital and wasn't covered by her particular insurance) it was worth every penny to her. They covered everything from LD to OT and they gave suggestions that were able to be implemented at home and at school. It made all the difference for this boy.

I've got a 9 yo son with ADD and the first few years of school were a HUGE struggle. They tested him at school, he has a learning disability and spends an hour plus a day in resource. The resource teacher helps him with classwork so he doesn't get so behind and have to bring home tons. IMHO, young elementary students shouldn't be doing more than 30 minutes a day homework--tops. And that should include some fun stuff. If the teacher wants to save up his assignments and send them home all at once, you should do the same and have him just do some a day and send them back when they're done. Sometimes, I think teachers don't realize kids have lives at home, too.

But, I've got to say, this little boy of mine has been a challenge--I hate to admit it, but I kind of breathed a sigh of relief when he went to first grade. I felt like I spent the whole day walking him through his day. What helped me was deciding what were the most important tasks of the day (brushing teeth, homework, cleaning his room) were each morning and focusing on that. If the rest didn't get done (he stayed in pj's all day for instance) I let it go. Also with meals, I tried a timer, too, LOL. It wasn't nearly as effective as just clearing off his plate after a reasonable amount of time and taking it to the sink.

It has gotten better. But, knowing some of what you're going through, I worry about you, too. Be patient with yourself--for years my little guy had me in tears each and every day. I just didn't know how to help him and I felt like I was always on him for stuff the other kids did without thinking. I really had to change my thinking and realize this is just who he is before I could help him--I'm in no way saying this applies to you, just sharing my story a bit.

After Wednesday I'll have more time and I will definitely get things in gear about getting him tested. I am emotionally drained and that is not good for my health. The break will be good for me, too.
Thanks for all your advice, I'll let you know how things evolve.
He actually had a good week, no foldermarks at the end of this week and was doing much better getting things done in school. His progress report ( he got it yesterday) shows that his grades are coming up again, too. Hopefully this was just an episode and he had to "hit" bottom. He had a very good report card with only one B the first grading period but went totally down hill this second, for this period it's ok with me if he just passes all his subjects ..... it didnl't look like it a couple of weeks ago. I just hope it won't ever get this bad again. It's enough to drive you crazy, isn't it?

Another thing that came to my mind is....he is tongue tied and needs a procedure, it's worried him for a while. His operation is Dec 18 and I try to be as sensitive as I possibly can to reassure him that things will be ok. He's also got braces not too long ago and it's been a real pain dealing with it.

Thanks for all your support, have a wonderful Holiday

[Yin Yang]

We'll be having ham too....It'll just make me appreciate it a little more...lol..Merry Christmas!

Kathy

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by kathygalt

We'll be having ham too....It'll just make me appreciate it a little more...lol..Merry Christmas!

Kathy

The smell of the fermenting hearts and the little piggies will stay with me FOREVER. It was a life changing experience since I never dissected a thing in my entire life before this class....you see I am totally new to the idea of biology and medicine at age 47. I was an English major LOL I was such a blood phobic until we pricked our own fingers and made a blood smear in our lab to count our WBC's. I thought I'd get sick just reading about blood.....but it's totally different now, 16 weeks later at the end of the class. I am officially "broken in"
I still think I will pass the ham and just stick to my mashed potatoes and green beans, my husband ordered it today and I told him to get a smaller size
Enjoy your ham!

[catzy5]

Originally Posted by stpauligirl

I give him lots lof hugs....I really try to keep my cool with him and remind myself that he is only 8! I just wonder how much more attention he needs. I can't sit at home and be exclusivley fixed on him and never do anything for myself, that's what he seems to want ....I only do things part time and it seems too much. That's what is so frustrating.

lol thats the handy part of having twins! they totally entertain/fight with each other LOL. My only complaint is the arguing fighting and just general rough housing.

[catzy5]

Originally Posted by stpauligirl

After Wednesday I'll have more time and I will definitely get things in gear about getting him tested. I am emotionally drained and that is not good for my health. The break will be good for me, too.
Thanks for all your advice, I'll let you know how things evolve.
He actually had a good week, no foldermarks at the end of this week and was doing much better getting things done in school. His progress report ( he got it yesterday) shows that his grades are coming up again, too. Hopefully this was just an episode and he had to "hit" bottom. He had a very good report card with only one B the first grading period but went totally down hill this second, for this period it's ok with me if he just passes all his subjects ..... it didnl't look like it a couple of weeks ago. I just hope it won't ever get this bad again. It's enough to drive you crazy, isn't it?

Another thing that came to my mind is....he is tongue tied and needs a procedure, it's worried him for a while. His operation is Dec 18 and I try to be as sensitive as I possibly can to reassure him that things will be ok. He's also got braces not too long ago and it's been a real pain dealing with it.

Thanks for all your support, have a wonderful Holiday

one of my twins had that problem too its been fixed many moons ago, during one of his other ENT operations (tubes adenoids etc..) it was a very simple procedure but can see how it would scare an 8 yr old.

One of my twins has been having some sensitive surgies this past month and its made him act up too its scary for the little guys and they are at an age where they understand and can have real fears.

[BlessedMom]

I have three children. 6 y/o boy, 4 y/o girl, and 2 y/o boy. The older two are pretty good about letting Mommy study! The youngest doesn't like it and tries to close my books and tries to climb on my lap when I am studying. I try to let him sometimes and other times I have to just keep on studying. I take Night courses so that the youngest doesn't have to go to daycare. I am a SAHM and I don't want to have to put my kids in daycare. So they get me most of the time. Its just less of me and they seem to be adjusting fairly well with it . Its break time now and I will get to shower them with all the attention I can.
Don't get me wrong, its really hard, its so hard to study and take care of three under 7 but I know its my calling and I know God will help me out. . They will benefit from mommy going back to school

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by catzy5

one of my twins had that problem too its been fixed many moons ago, during one of his other ENT operations (tubes adenoids etc..) it was a very simple procedure but can see how it would scare an 8 yr old.

One of my twins has been having some sensitive surgies this past month and its made him act up too its scary for the little guys and they are at an age where they understand and can have real fears.

Especially since he has witnessed me after several operations and one near death experience He was very upset after he saw my scar from my thyroidectomy and he toldl me that he didn't like my "scratch"....I looked like someone attempted to cut my head off.....
He went through my terrible meningitis episode where he ended up with my husbnd in the ER...I was fighting for my life and everyone thought I wouldn't make it! He was only 3 but I believe that's made him extra clingy to me.
We have been talking to him and reassuring him that he will be ok....he is kind of excited becasue he gets to pick out the kind and flavor popsicles he may have to suck on afterwards.
Thanks so much for being here and supporting me.

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by BlessedMom

I have three children. 6 y/o boy, 4 y/o girl, and 2 y/o boy. The older two are pretty good about letting Mommy study! The youngest doesn't like it and tries to close my books and tries to climb on my lap when I am studying. I try to let him sometimes and other times I have to just keep on studying. I take Night courses so that the youngest doesn't have to go to daycare. I am a SAHM and I don't want to have to put my kids in daycare. So they get me most of the time. Its just less of me and they seem to be adjusting fairly well with it . Its break time now and I will get to shower them with all the attention I can.
Don't get me wrong, its really hard, its so hard to study and take care of three under 7 but I know its my calling and I know God will help me out. . They will benefit from mommy going back to school

That's great that you can take evening classes so that you can be with your kids. I was also always very reluctant to take my kids to daycare when they were very young. Especially if they can't tell you yet what is going on....I don't trust too many people. Too many horror stories out there
Good luck and hang in there.