Dodging a Bullet and Saving a Memory

May 17, 2006

So I caught up with Spiff’s teacher today and she told me that he was a little off of his groove, but not outside the normal range for behavior of most boys his age.

(Did you hear that? That was me and the hubby sharing a collective PHEW!!!)

The whole medication thing was a huge deal that we discussed ad nauseum before we decided to go ahead with it. (If you knew me, you’d quickly realize that this is normal for me, I tend to discuss and analyze stuff to death. It’s a gift, I tell you.) I didn’t want to be one of those parents that medicated their kids because it was easier on the staff of his school, I wanted it to be because he needed help, and it would allow him to function in a regular classroom setting; thereby allowing him a better shot at a regular diploma once he graduates. (That’s actually very important. Schools don’t really tell you the ins and outs of that unless you ask them, and you should ask. It sucks to get blindsided when they get to High School and you find out they don’t qualify for a regular diploma because of all the ESE classes they are enrolled in.)

Spiff has been on some cocktail of medicines since second grade. It’s composed of an ADD medication (right now it’s Concerta), an anti-anxiety medication (he’s having success with Wellbutrin), and Magnesium sulfate tablet. This mixture seems to be working rather well, but I’m not averse to giving his body a rest from time to time; a break to get back to a natural balance, so to speak. A clearing out of the cobwebs. We usually do this in the summertime, the stress is lower, and relaxing is at a premium. Ironically, Spiff usually asks for his medication to restart before I want it to during these times. It’s as if he knows what he should feel like, and the medication keeps him in balance. I can definitely appreciate that, and it makes me feel good that he at least recognizes when things are slipping out of control for him. That lesson was a long time coming.

So I’m glad that yesterday worked out okay for him and his teacher. I know he hates to upset or disappoint her in any way, so I’m glad that he didn’t.

He did remember to take his medication THIS morning though, that I can tell you.

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Today Scamp rode the bus home from school with a classmate of his that is his best friend. This was a big deal; the only time he has ridden the bus is when the class has gone on field trips. I’ll admit, I was a little worried about it, and I made sure to make myself scarce so that he didn’t see me before he got on the bus so I wouldn’t confuse him.

I needn’t worried.

His exact words to his friend’s mom as he got off the bus:

“That was coooooooool”.

I think I might have to sign him up for the bus a few days a week next year.

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A blogger that I really enjoy reading, Beth, is now a contributor over at ClubMom. Check out her new blog, Diary of a Playgroup Dropout. What she doesn’t realize is that this very blog came extremely close to being called that, seeing as I am an alumni.

It only goes to show that great minds think alike. So, go on, check her out!

See you Thursday, when I tell you the 13 things I love to watch on the TiVo. It’s scintillating. Don’t miss it!

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