OMG. I may just run away from *everything* today. I don't know where - I'm looking for suggestions?
Yesterday - my afternoon kindergartener had a MORNING field trip to, ta-da!, SHOPRITE, of all places. Which means that I had to drag him out of bed, force him to eat something at an (what is in our house) ungodly hour - then get both of our butts dressed and to the school at 9 AM. Since I am a class-mom, I also had the pleasure of accompanying the class on the school bus... only to find out that part of the "learning experience" involved taking FOUR KIDS SHOPPING for a "day's worth of healthy meals"! (I don't even take my ONE ADHD'er with me!)
In the afternoon, I had to help design & man our class's carnival game booth for the school's Ice Cream Carnival. Joy! An experience I can't even begin to describe.
This morning, I had to drag my anxiety-prone kid out of bed again - to go play Tee-ball... which is something he was really excited to do at the beginning of the season, but now that the novelty has worn off - and the performance anxiety has kicked in, is just SOOOO much fun. Fight to put on the uniform. Fight to get in the car. Fight to get out of the car. Fight to go on the field. Fight to get him to "pay attention" on the field. Fight to actually RUN around the bases. Fight because I tell him he should just go tell his coaches he's quitting, and not playing anymore. Temper tantrum because he "wants to play"....
NOW - I'm home, and instead of getting ready to go to my younger brother's engagement party, I am taking a Mommy-Break. Kiddo "hates parties" and "doesn't like dressing up". I'd like to enjoy a cocktail (or three!) but the party is 25 miles away... so no go. Oh, did I mention that I am a bridesmaid and Kiddo is a ring-bearer in the wedding? Which means that Bro actually expects us at ALL these events, and that somehow, I am magically supposed to get Anxious Kid to 1) wear a tux 2) walk down the aisle and 3) stand up front during the ceremony where "people can look at him" (his words!)?
(Background:I have GAD with a little OCD thrown in for fun - so it's like twice the fun for me to do all these things with Kiddo! First, I get to ignore my OWN super-fast beating heart and all that entails, so I can deal with Kiddo's issues. Secondly, it wouldn't be so bad if Hubby were here to help - but he is an up&coming executive chef of a new BBQ chain in the NYC area, so he's "never" home. I mean, never. Like, 70-80 hour work weeks.)
ANYWAY... anyone got a nice secluded cavern in their backyard that I could go hide in for a month? Preferably with internet access and a wine cooler.....
After 3 cups of coffee, you have completely exhausted me with this story!
Must go take a nap now. LOL
Good luck!
Have you considered homeschooling? Which I know may be coming from left field.... But for my ADHD kiddo, mixing the morning madness and doing gradually increasing levels of _________ (paying attention, class periods, early mornings, etc), over 4 years (1st-4th) was a HUGE godsend.
I got MY breaks during his class times (art, drama, sports, etc), and then 'backwards' time, during school break daycamps (Tday break, parent teacher conference week, winter break, midwinter break, spring break, and then first and last week of summer break).
At 1st grade it's only about 2 hours a day of instruction needed to 'keep up' with awayschool... And you can use the ADHD to your advantage by studying things he's interested in, in s WAY he's interested in them.
In our ADHD house Charlotte Mason & Montessori & Unit studies were simply a godsend. So too, that we almost never had to "sit" to work. We could do math on a skateboard, or history in the pool, or, or, or.
Now, at age 9 he's more than capable of sitting for an hour or two, which is all that's needed for COLLEGE, so no worries.
Just something to consider.
Trust me, I know the feeling. I have a son with Aspergers who is now in college, but I remember the field trips well. The teacher always chose me to be a class chaperone so I could deal with him and of course a few others. One thing I would do is to let him know up front that you are both in the same boat, and you are going to the engagement party because it is important to your brother, not necessarily because you feel like going. Think of a reward that both of you would like and give that to yourselves when it is done. Quiet time at home, a trip to the beach wih no schedules to keep, favorite music on the way home, could be anything. Be sure and thank him for making the effort, and give yourself a high five for it too. I also know how to power nap and set the clock for 15-30 minutes of quiet time.
I do...and the wine is chilled. Come on over. :-)
Sounds like my week --- must be something in the stars and planets.
Let's see ---- Last Friday and Saturday I had a wedding -- Sunday Mother's day -- Monday I drove to Madison (100 miles) to stay overnight so I could attend a seminar all day Tuesday (hotel bed hard as a rock and little pillows so no sleep) get a call during the seminar that 11 month puppy attacked 7 yr old dog for the 2nd time in 4 days -- no injuries --get home at about 8 PM --dog acting strange but seems scared not sick or hurt --- check voice mail --find message to call cousin at work OH OH call her find out favorite uncle passed --- Wednesday night have granddaughter overnight --daughter having minor surgery Thursday morning --- get up Thursday take granddaughter to school -- go check on daughter not home yet -- go home for much needed nap -- daughter calls to say she's fine wakes me out of sound sleep -- get up find something to eat -- go pick up granddaughter from school --take her to go visit a friend -- back to my house to pack her things -- forget a couple of things URGGGG --- Friday attend funeral --- get home and dog is really acting strange --no energy so she's sick --take her to emergency vet clinic --find out dog has bad uterine infection needs fluids and surgery --- now we are at today -- phone starts ringing at 7:15 AM vet letting me know on dogs progress --- 4 calls later she is out of surgery and doing fine.
Now I need to mow the lawn and get cleaned up to go see dog.
I need my hammock and a bottle of wine. Should turn off phone and internet (aaahhhhh peace and quiet)
Keep the faith things will get better and a day off is on the way.
I was actually laughing out loud reading this! We've all been there. Good luck!
Oh Girl................ Do yourself a favor and learn to say NO!! It's ok sometimes, and you need to learn that NOW. I mean it! Save yourself some real bad years, and some sanity. Say NO! YOU DESERVE a break. Good luck! <3
K., what are you going to do next year when your first grader has to be in school early, early? It'll be every day...
I cannot imagine putting a tux on your little guy - can you cancel that and get the bride to find another little man? Get a babysitter for the wedding so that you can enjoy being a bridesmaid! If you have a babysitter, you can enjoy ALL the events. Your brother is not the boss of you, and if he doesn't like that anxious kid isn't there, too bad!
Yeah, you definitely need that wine cooler...
