I have an important question… How long?
How long will you tolerate less than acceptable for you child?
How long will you allow excuses and promises that haven’t been delivered?
How long will you ignore situations that eat at you, leaving a bad taste in your mouth?
How long will you go against your better judgment?
Enough.
I have a meeting on Friday with a District administrator in hopes of improving my son’s third grade experience. There is a part of me that dreads this meeting and another side that welcomes the opportunity. I am gathering resources and talking to experts. It feels as though I am preparing for battle.
Last week, was a particularly challenging week. My son was made to feel small and hopeless and invisible.
Once the school found out that I had requested this meeting, the wall was reinforced and built even higher. Like me, it seems that they are gathering troops. He seems to pay for their defensiveness with even more focus directed to his struggles.
No one should have to fight this hard during the holiday season, but we have fought for our child in the presence of Christmas trees before. If I could postpone this sit down until 2014 I would, but I can’t.
It has been long enough!
My Twice Baked Potato 
You shouldn’t have to go through this at all, having a 2E child is like being stuck between worlds. Actually it’s the kid who is stuck and suffering.
I’m sure you have tons of info but thought I’d share a few links: New brochure from GHF on 2E
Click to access Twice-Exceptional-brochure-11-2013.pdf
And info from a school district that seems to really get 2E.
Click to access 2einterview_with_rich.pdf
Hang in there, you’re doing all the right things!
Wendi-
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!
Persistence is necessary to get through their thick heads! The squeaky wheel gets the grease, Go girl!!
Thank you! I’m ready to be squeaky 🙂
Good Luck to you!! I’ve been through this too. I hope you are able to get them to do their job!!
Carrie,
Me too! Thanks 🙂
It sucks that he is having a rough year especially since last year was so good. I was hoping he/the school had turned a corner. It’s a never ending battle. Good luck.
Last year was a really good year. The teacher communicated well, had a relationship with him, just got it! That is a huge difference 😦
I have been teaching for over 10 years now. However, it wasn’t till my son had a rotten teacher last year in 3rd grade that I really appreciated how important teacher are. I feel for you.
I understand. I think his current third grade teacher is probably a good teacher for most, but not mine. Only focus seems to be compliance and focus on his struggles instead of any energy toward strengths. Sigh.
I give you credit for saying that. It is not only about discipline.
I hate that any of us need to fight for our kids but I will as well. They deserve it… Now kick some butt and get your amazing son what he needs! Sending positive thoughts and peace along with great vibes on making it better!!
Thank you 🙂
I will take prayers, positive energy, even magic if it would help! I really appreciate it!!
Sending you much strength through this fight, knowing it is often drawn out. Glad you continue to take actions, even in the face of such walls. Hoping things improve soon for TBP.
Thank you so much! I really hope so too 🙂
I am always so disheartened when I read about the multitude of parents who have to fight just to get the education their child needs and deserves! I was a public school teacher and we were expected to treat parents like customers. Now, it seems teachers and administrators treat parents like they are the enemy! And you are right, our children pay the highest price in these parent vs school battles, but every child is so worth the fight! Good luck! And let us know!
Thank you! I believe very good schools and talented teachers still exist. No one wins though when teachers and schools get defensive instead of admitting that they don’t have all the answers.
My son’s school has a very narrow idea about what gifted means. This makes the conversation difficult to move forward when they still expect an extroverted leader who motivates himself.
I just have one thought. As institutions, most have the tactic of putting all the effort on the person wishing to have the changes. This is basic stone walling…the passive aggressive tactic made to wear down the person with no effort on their own…winning through attrition. If they have a responsibility and have not fulfilled it…all you need is a valid complaint…a list of their responsibilities…those unfulfilled…a timeline showing their lack of action…and poof…they are the ones who must justify their lack of action. Your actions are minimal…their actions must involve research, planning…plenty of effort and coordination. When you make it more expensive in time and money for them to not take care of your son than to merely do so…that is when it effects them enough for them to do the right thing in the first place.
Know your rights…lay out a positive plan they could enact easily. Make doing the right thing for them…easy…and not doing the right thing…hard. They then can not justify to their superiors of doing anything else. They would, otherwise, have to justify the unjustifiable…which, when it is their butt in the sling…they will find a way to accomplish what they are supposed to do.
You are a wise man!
Wished you were overseeing his school with your intelligence and logical thinking!
I did have a meeting, which I will post about later, that seemed to be a step in the right direction.
Not so wise…I just realized my typo: it should have been affects instead of effects. 🙂