It's Tough Being a Parent

So I’ve decided parenting is an emotional roller-coaster. I am so done with drama. I have never been a drama sort of girl. Hated it in Jr. High. Hated it more in High School But now it seems as though my life is filled with it, just on a different level.

There are days I cannot wait for Sean to grow up and get out of my house. I know it sounds horrible… but it’s because of times like these. Times in which I am so incredibly frustrated with the school system. Frustrated with people who want to give up on him or judge him. Frustrated with him as well.

This past week has not been very fun. For those that don’t know, our sweet boy has a couple of “issues” but hey, don’t we all? He’s bi-polar as well as has Aspergers (high functioning autism). Because of these two diagnosis’ he has some special circumstances he has to face in his day-to-day living. We, as Sean’s parents, are trying to do everything right by him. But let me tell you, it’s a very fine line between giving up and enabling him. Without being too prideful, I think we’re doing a pretty dang good job. And I only say this because of the strides we’ve seen him make since we’ve begun. So we must be doing something right! It’s just so hard when you know your child is doing good and your emotions want to play games with you because someone is telling you otherwise.

This last week he’s had a lot of challenges at school. He’s in a special program that has him “out” for only two classes during the day. The rest of the day he is in a small classroom of about 12-15 other children. He does fairly well in there and this is his first year there. Before this, he was primarily in a day-treatment school for three years with some transitioning to the high school (he was in the high school all last year, just some at the day treatment as well).

He’s done well. Very well we might add. So much so that the struggles he’s having now seem like nothing to us. In fact John and I are both tremendously proud of him and how he’s handling these struggles. The Vice Principal and his autism specialist are so proud of him. We’re so proud of him. So what’s the problem you ask? The new classroom/program he is in does not see it this way. They don’t want to deviate from their plans and their schedule and their discipline of him to praise him for these achievements. In fact today I got a phone call from a very frustrated individual pretty much telling me that my child was manipulating all of us and that he did not have a disability. I wanted to smack her.

How dare she tell me this? How dare she assume that’s what’s going on? I told her that every year after the semester switch he struggles until about April. She didn’t know that. So I told her if she’d actually read his file she might. I know my son. Yes he can be manipulative… but this was not what was going on. John and I would have been more prone to say that’s what was going on LAST year than this year. She said he doesn’t “act” autistic. Ummm hello, since when to kids on the autism spectrum fit in a freaking box??? Alas, she doesn’t believe me, she thinks I’m a whack-job parent (or at least that’s how I feel) and she’s convinced my child has the whole school system in the palm of his hands. Little does she realize the emotional struggles John and I have to deal with with Sean when he’s home and he shares what’s happened and his fear about school and failing and not getting to achieve his dreams. I was frustrated enough that after 20 minutes of being on the phone with her I had to end the conversation. After all, I seriously did want to smack her through my phone.

So why is it that people think they know what they’re talking about? Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand her frustration with him. I really do. John and I have a hard time understanding how Sean thinks half the time ourselves, so I don’t expect someone who’s known him for six months to truly understand. But what I do expect is that someone to listen to the parents. To listen to the autism specialist and Sean’s therapist. People who have been working with him for some time. To listen to the Vice Principal who deal with Sean all last year too and who is so proud of him. I expect staff at the school to know their student’s files. To know if their students are on an IEP and to FLIPPING FOLLOW IT. For crying-out-loud it’s a federally mandated requirement!! I expect staff to treat students with respect instead of just demanding it from the students and treating them like dirt. I am sick of staff attempting to use scare-tactics and power-struggles with him. I expect them to act like adults and be positive role-models for our kids. For all kids. Not just the ones who have “issues” and need a little bit of extra help.

John and I have dedicated our lives to making sure Sean has every tool possible to be a successful adult. However we understand it’s his choice to use those tools. But we will make sure he’s given a fair and appropriate education in the public school system as the law requires he is to receive. We will make sure he is treated equally and with respect. And more than anything we will always always always advocate for him when needed.