Recovering
Zion's taking his punishment like a little man. After school yesterday he raked the leaves and bagged them without having to be asked. He read for 20 minutes. He chose swimming as his exercise at the...
View ArticleI'm Not a Sucker, Sucka!
Yesterday afternoon was busy. I picked the kids up right after school and high-tailed it to the South Hill Mall so I could get Maya's immunizations caught up. If she doesn't get her Tdap, the school,...
View ArticleNatural Consequences
Zion missed the bus this morning and so his dad had to drive him to school. Late this afternoon we sat down as a family to figure out why Zion missed the bus. Maya said she woke Zion up and he went...
View ArticlePractical Math
Tonight at dinner we talked about a story I heard on NPR this morning about American planes from various carriers being repaired in other countries. I mentioned that the mechanics they interviewed made...
View ArticleRatcheting Up the Consequences
I hate giving my kids consequences. I despise having negative conversations, but I don't believe in re-framing a negative into a positive. Honest and direct, specific and brief; this is the way I...
View ArticleDon't Give Up
Working through Zion's disabilities is a full time job. Sometimes I have had enough. The past few weeks have been hard. It is often difficult to tell what behaviors are disability-related and what...
View ArticleThe Economics of Trick-or-Treating
Zion barely got to go trick-or-treating last night. Thursday he walked home from school after vomiting on the bus and several neighbors' lawns. He didn't eat for two days, which is, of course, quite...
View ArticleAccomplishments Big and Small
Today I actually managed to sit with Zion and help with his homework. I've been struggling with managing my new schedule and making time for the things that are important to me, like helping with...
View ArticleAccomplishments Big and Small
Today I actually managed to sit with Zion and help with his homework. I've been struggling with managing my new schedule and making time for the things that are important to me, like helping with...
View ArticleParent-Teacher Conference
This afternoon we made Zion's parent-teacher conference a family affair. Typically we would allow Zion to have his privacy, and we did have Maya sit in the opposite corner of the classroom, but...
View ArticleParent-Teacher Conference
This afternoon we made Zion's parent-teacher conference a family affair. Typically we would allow Zion to have his privacy, and we did have Maya sit in the opposite corner of the classroom, but...
View ArticleExtreme Punishment and Scrabble
Yesterday evening Zion, Maya, and I played Scrabble - the board game, not the online game I was hooked on while on FMLA. Maya and Zion are on Extreme Punishment; on Thursday they decided to take the...
View ArticleExtreme Punishment and Scrabble
Yesterday evening Zion, Maya, and I played Scrabble - the board game, not the online game I was hooked on while on FMLA. Maya and Zion are on Extreme Punishment; on Thursday they decided to take the...
View ArticleThis is Not a Freaking Miracle
Friday Zion came home excited. He had good news: He got 100% on his spelling test. I figured he would; I gave him a practice test Thursday night, and even with all the distractions - I was cooking,...
View ArticleThis is Not a Freaking Miracle
Friday Zion came home excited. He had good news: He got 100% on his spelling test. I figured he would; I gave him a practice test Thursday night, and even with all the distractions - I was cooking,...
View ArticleBeing Funky Will Cost You – and Me
Yesterday the kids and I sat down to discuss our poor behavior and how we might begin to do better. For the most part we do pretty well, but when things deteriorate, they go fast, and it doesn't end...
View ArticleBeing Funky Will Cost You - and Me
Yesterday the kids and I sat down to discuss our poor behavior and how we might begin to do better. For the most part we do pretty well, but when things deteriorate, they go fast, and it doesn't end...
View ArticleFirst Trimester Report Cards
Yesterday Maya and Zion brought home their report cards. Typically I don't even look at Zion's, I just sign the envelope indicating I received the documents and send it back. It has been hard for me to...
View ArticleFirst Trimester Report Cards
Yesterday Maya and Zion brought home their report cards. Typically I don't even look at Zion's, I just sign the envelope indicating I received the documents and send it back. It has been hard for me to...
View ArticleSocial Changes
Tonight Maya went out with one of her girlfriends, A., and her mom, to a Christmas party. She got all dressed up, borrowed some low heels from me, and walked out the door looking like a proper young...
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