Personal Update

Recently, after reading an email from a member regarding her son's behavior, I thought to myself that I was quite fortunate to see changes in my own son's behavior, to the point where things were becoming smoother at home and at school.

I would like to recant that statement!

It would appear that my son's behavior has not changed sufficiently to warrant that all elusive pat on the back! I received a phone call from my son's principal this morning in which he told me that my son would be staying home from school for two days for swearing at his teacher.

I have no idea what prompted his outburst, but I do know that he obviously has a long way to go before I can rest on my laurels.

All the frustration and depression that I had managed to overcome came flooding back in an instant and I feel like I did when I first started on this journey.

So many parents ask me how I manage to cope with the behaviors, acting out, disrespect and sometimes down right rudeness that seems to cling to these children like lint on a wool sweater, and the only advice I can give is to be consistent, set up counseling for your child, get some support and be kind to yourself.

Well, we have counseling in place, and I have support, but at times like this, nothing seems to help rid me of the feelings of isolation, guilt, and frustration.

I have to say that these feelings will abate after a day or so, but in that time frame there isn't much that I can do to feel better, with the exception of crawling back into bed and sleeping away the next few days!

However, that isn't going to happen, even though that is exactly what I feel like doing! Writing, and sharing my stories with other parents facing the same challenges does help. Also, knowing that my son is getting older and will be better able to control his outbursts quiets some of the anxiety. I just wish it didn't take so long for the epiphanies to manifest.

I was told just the other day that my son is taking a "hard road" and seems to learn his life lessons the hard way, and I'm sure that other parents with children like mine have been told the same thing.

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any type of solution for that problem...at least not one that I have been made aware. So for the time being, it's back to the drawing board. I think there are several household chores that have my son's name on them. It might not hurt to show him what happens when you don't have a good education...