I just got done with a progress report and conference at school. I am feeling a bit lost in all the hope I have for my 11-year-old.
My very smart, very sweet little boy's life has been turned upside down for the past four years. He's been dianosed bipolar for about two years and this spring he was classified and placed in Special Education. He doesn't "process" well in academics and can't process stress like most people either.
He takes Lithium which can be one of the causes of his not processing well academically. No, we cannot change the med or lower it or mess with it in any way.
Anywhoo, he's now processing a bit better this fall. His self esteem is up. He's generally happy and trying to be responsible. He's able to do most of the work... but not producing enough of it. He's SO SLOW, he's not turning completed things in. His inner clock runs like a snail.
I know that every six months or so this little boy changes in some way that's large enough we have to change and adapt to it. So things will not always be the same. I hope that the fact that he IS finally processing better means he will also someday process faster again. I'm so full of hope that I'm drowning because the hope also depresses me.
How could he possibly keep a job or get through college or trade school when he goes so slow? How will he become a "productive member of society" if he goes the pace of a snail?
I cannot think of one thing he can do that would be okay for him to move so slowly (except work behind the counter at the Post Office. Okay, that wasn't appropriat, but it was funny!) and not come with a lot of stress. He's not an artist, most likely not a writer.
Dude, if only he were flexible and liked leotards I'd get him into yoga. A yoga teacher can be slow :-)
Thanks for letting me vent - I feel better already!
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