HE HAD A GOOD DAY!!!

I can't believe it...we're only 1 1/2 weeks into the school year, and today, R. had a good day! He did his morning routine, did his work, and earned his prize he was working for today. HOORAY! I can't tell you how much this means to me. Just yesterday, the resource teacher was coming up with yet a new plan because R. had taken something from a classmate and ripped it up. It escalated into R. running at his teacher, but Mr. W (his teacher) followed the BIP (Behavior Improvement Plan) exactly, and a crisis was averted. But, today he followed the rules, did his work and earned a prize.

BIG SIGH! I know that it is just one day, but sometimes one day is all you need to have hope for the next one.

Better days

So, finally, someone came up with a better solution. R's resource (newspeak for special ed) teacher now meets him at the school doors each day and takes him to his regular classroom. He is comfortable with her since he's known her for over a year, and there is no "going from me directly to New Teacher" anxiety with R. anymore. I wouldn't say he goes to her happily, but there is no fight like there was last week. Big sigh of relief.

More R-isms:

(Talking at the dinner table about him being hungry during the school day):

Me: So, why do you think you are hungrier this year at school?

R: I think it's because lunch is sharper than it was last year.

Me: Sharper? What do you mean?

R: You know how they say "eleven o'clock sharp?" Sharper!

Me: Oh, you mean it's earlier than last year!

R: Right!

The way his mind works....

First day of school

Conversation in the car on the way to first day of 4th grade:

Me: So, do we need to go over your rules while you are at school?

R: No, I hate school. Why do I have to go?

Me: Well, it is your job, just like my job is to go to work and make money to support our family. Everyone has to either go to work or go to school.

R: What about kittens? Do they have to go to school or go to work?

Me: Well, no.

R: Then, why can't I stay home like the kittens?

Sigh. He didn't want to walk up the stairs (stopped halfway on them and didn't want to budge), he didn't want to go in his classroom, he didn't want to sit in his seat. It took me about 15 minutes, but I finally got him in his seat. And, then I left. Bless his new teacher, and I hope that he has better luck than I did this AM. I haven't had a call from school yet, so--fingers crossed.

All I could think about as I left the school was: I am so envious of all you other parents of kids who are calmly or excitedly sitting in their chairs right now.