Back to School - Part II

or to use Luke's teacher's words -- Playing the Mom Card

School has now been in session for 6 days and we are getting into a rhythm. I like the rhythm, I like the structure. So does Luke. The girls do too.

Before school started there were trips to the office store and to Target to get schools supplies for the girls. Each time we went I would always try to get Luke to choose something, a new pencil box or crayons or markers. He would always say no using sign and voice. When combined it means No! Not nasty, but definite. Anytime anyone would ask if he was ready to go back to school, they would get the same answer. 

The Tuesday night before school started was Meet the Teacher Night. He wasn't happy when we piled the supplies in the car and headed to school. He did help carry some to the building, but that was a far as he was willing to go. Once we were in the building he turned into a huge pill (to put it mildly). 

The first stop was the special ed room. As soon as we got in and the teacher tried to introduce herself, he was whining and pulling me out. The second stop was across the hall to the SLP's room. He completely ignored a friend who was leaving the room and tried to pull me past the room. He did give the SLP a two second opportunity to say hi between the whines and pulling.

The third and final stop was the 5th grade classroom. The room was full of parents and students and he wanted nothing to do with it. As a side note, the classrooms have been just as full and noisy on the other Meet the Teacher Nights, so this wasn't new. I managed to get his supplies put on a desk, sign up for school T-shirt, say hi to the teacher and leave ASAP. At this point, describing him as being a pill would be a complement.

On the way out of the building we past teachers, principals and paraprofessionals that he knew and likes. With the exception of one resource teacher who got a wave and huge smile, he was unable to even acknowledge them. 

I was becoming very concerned that the start of the school year was going to be very challenging for all involved.

Thursday morning everyone was up bright and early. The high school bus came about 6:40, I dropped the middle schooler at her stop about 7:25, then headed to the elementary school (1/2 mile away) with Luke. The whining started as soon as I turned into the parking lot. He wasn't happy when we headed into Vacation Station (before/after school program). Once we met his paraprofessional I left reminding them that they had my phone number.

The Thursday report from the teachers and VS was that he had a great day. 

Friday morning he again whined and protested when we got to VS. Again I quickly left. A few minutes later I went back in to leave my check. He was happily playing the piano. Hmmm.

The Friday report from the teachers and VS was that he had a great day. Hmmm.

Each day this week the drop-off has gotten easier and easier. All the reports from school continued to be positive. He is now happy to go off with his para. 

I know change isn't always easy for him. And I know he doesn't (yet!) have the skills to tell us what he needs/wants/thinks. But I also know that a part of his behavior was a show for mom. While developmentally making-mom-feel-guilty-for-leaving-me is more of a toddler or preschooler thing, he must have thought he needed to try it one more time!