Arghh!!!!!! I just sat in a transition meeting with a parent and child as the child gets ready to move to HS. There have been ongoing issues with the parent who is viewed (rightly IMHO) as mean and manipulative. I have seen this parent in action over a number of years ( in a variety of settings) and have witnessed extremely rude, condescending and just plain nasty behavior to just about everyone s/he come in contact with. S/he trash talks the spouse in front of the child, is critical about just about every thing.
Anyhoo... the child is a very pleasant middles schooler. But, now no longer qualifies (based on all appropriate testing) for Special Ed services. This should be a good thing, right?
NO, this parent is insistant that the child will be overwrought with anxiety (because, according to the parent, the child has had anxiety since the age of three but just recently got the diagnosis) although there is no paper work to back this up, won't sign a release of information.....Wants to consider online classes because s/he KNOWS that child will have anxiety through the roof. States the child is in therapy and on meds, child does not exhibit these behaviors at school, but attendance is an issue.
So it begs the question...Why? Why do you want your child to be riddled with anxiety? I have seen the self fulfilling prophecy at work more times than I can remember and I am fearful for this child. Why do you trash talk the other parent (that you still live with and have been married to for at least 15 years) in front of your child? What do you gain? What does your child gain? Other than the expectaion that failure IS an option because clearly you expect that s/he will be riddled with anxiety?
