Hello , again

Greetings Y'all;

It's been quite some time since I posted.  I will give a synopsis and update and not a   " grab a large cup of joe and get comfy" extensive catch-up blog. But you are warned I will expand shortly and slide into my not atypical loquacious self.

Here's the Reader's Digest Condensed version for your rapid perusal. I am surrounded by angels, we all are. they key is to be aware that fact and be open to them.
The boy wonder has never been a fit for the standard classroom. He has a free and busy mind. When he was placed in the small self-contained classroom he lost his verve and sense of self. His social, academic and emotional growth were stagnated and retarded. Please don't misinterpret  what I'm saying. he had some outstanding staff working with him, however, he also had staff that stymied him and the system wasn't right for him. I say this as a voice of one who worked in that system, My son struggled on many levels.  But was always bright and intelligent.  Academics were never a concern, just getting him to feel that he was human and didn't have to be superhuman was the concern,  To say man cub has a strong and dominating personality is an understatement.  He is a dynamic force to be reckoned with and gave his teachers fits,  He's given me fits.

Now let's jump into middle school. Middle school came on like a hurricane and neither one of us were truly ready for it or fit in. I started getting daily calls from  the school. I would work an hour then be told they couldn't get him to work or focus or blend in and he'd act out. We had countless meetings. At one point I went almost a month without pay because I had used my time up for him and kept having to go get him. I finally advocated what he needed and was blocked. I understand the difficulties of applying what works for him in the classroom filled with other students. But he had a plan and I didn't ask for anything I hadn't seen work for him or my scholars.
During this, we did our therapies and behavior management visits, applied what we learned there at home but we were both exhausted from the daily post-school emotional roller coaster. Neither one of us were truly available and present as we lived from emotional crisis to emotional crisis.  This was on me I take the responsibility for being the adult, the captain of the ship. I knew if I could maintain focus I could help him navigate these stormy seas and into his own quiet harbor. Okay I do realize many folks have it far worse than Mowgli and I do but I can only focus on us.
So to  quickly  recap, my son is in daily crisis, he was being given hands-on, physically restrained when not dangerous, which exacerbates his symptoms. His amygdala was in constant uh-oh, fight or flight mode.  He was not thriving in school. Others struggle on middle school and many if not most thrive.But Rusty is not like quite like the others. He has an amazing brain  and mind.  I prayed very hard and  was reminded thatI have Montessori teaching style that he responds to. I started planning for homeschooling. I hoped and prayed he could make until the after winter break. Alas, that was not the case. He was in crisis I had to start him immediately. I was forced to resign my position for a myriad of reasons and thus left with a limited income situation of sporadic part-time employment. My employer gives me as many hours possible and is a great company. Many jobs require travel, my decided to die on me too. So  I ride the public transportation and stand for hours oft times outside in all kinds of weather and then return late at night. Sometimes after buses are running.  But  I will do anything for my son.  This doesn't make me a martyr or great man, it makes me father. My grandmother was fond of saying " you do what you ought to do"
That brings us to where we are today.  My son's best friend's mother has become a dear friend to me. She, because she pushes, prods and cares discovered my fianicial bind. She understood I was homeschooling an extra needs child and saw that my presence at home has helped my progeny grow. He is not the same child he was two months ago or even a month ago. Yes, we all grow but I will selfishly state homeschooling has helped. Granted I've focused on his emotional intelligence because  I am not worried about his  academic intelligence. He's very bright but his low self-esteem led to severe bouts of ODD/ADHD.   Okay that and getting his way in school didn't help. He has turned the corner, he's headed to his quiet harbor.

We still have much work ahead of us, But I can move forward knowing I  have people on my side. When I first disclosed I was homeschooling  those who know my son and I were very supportive of my choice. They knew of his superhuman personality and my background in special education. They knew the bond my son and I have. They knew my successes in and out of the classroom. They knew my son thrives with my guidance. I look back at that decision as a time when we closed a chapter and started writing a new chapter with a happier ending,  That said it strained our already thin purse strings.

This is when the angels appeared. I accepted my new friend's guidance, her pushy but positively productive ways. I accepted her help. She and her friends and several of my friends created a heart-warming  miracle for us. We are humbled and grateful. We look forward to proving their trust in us was worthy.  Sometimes we need that push to keep us moving, but we always need to remain present and aware of the angels around as well as our chance to be an angel,

We survived the blizzard, I believe it was snowstorm Jonas. Next blizzard I see better be at Dairy Queen, just saying. We shoveled neighbors out and made some money.  To be honest, I miss working for the schools because  I'd be paid for being off instead of losing hours and money. but God is good. This is his plan and our journey,

As always, thanks again for reading folks hope y'all have a good day.