Smiting the Fear of The Fire Drill and Other Stories
August 17, 2006
Today was a fire drill day at Spiff’s school. The law requires that they have one once a month, and so he knew there was going to be one, he just didn’t know when.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but Spiff is frightened of fire drills. FRIGHTENED. They freak him out. It completely interrupts his “fight or flight” response. We’ve done EVERYTHING to help him, including me picking him up from school before a fire drill so he would not hide under desks and need to be pulled out by staff. It was not a pretty picture.
Last year Spiff got better about handling the fire drills, and we were pleased that he was hanging in there and trying to overcome his fear and then once the fire drill was over, getting right back to work. For someone who doesn’t handle transitions well, this is huge. It used to drive the teachers nuts that it took forever for Spiff to calm down and get back to work after a fire drill, so many of his teachers would let him just read a book or color in their office for the rest of the day. This was actually counterproductive, because he needed to learn how to get back into the swing of things and get back to work.
His 5th grade teacher helped set him straight, and by the end of last year he was handling those fire drills like a pro. We were worried because time had elapsed (read: summer vacation) and we didn’t know if he would freak out again in middle school. His fear is real, and is answer to a question an administrator asked him about “Did he have any concerns about Middle School?” were about the fire drill, and nothing else. So I think we were a little worried about how he’d do for his first fire drill.
I’m happy to report that times, they have been changed. According to the Assistant Principal, he handled it like a pro. He so impressed the staff that they planned to buy him an ice cream at lunch today to celebrate. I picked up the latest Captain Underpants book as a special treat. I cried when my husband relayed the news. I’m just so proud of him.
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So can I talk for a moment about the Queen of Spain? She is sooooooo awesome! And spunky, and wicked smart, and hilarious. I had the best time at lunch on Monday. I’d actually consider moving to LA if I could guarantee she’d be my neighbor. I can’t wait for BlogHer in Chi-Town! (unless she visits again soon!) She was hawt!
Also, I’m meeting Kathy from Use Your Words on Saturday. We plan to meet up and eat and hang out in the Oldest City in the U.S. It’s gonna be a blast!
August 17th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Dear Spiff,
I am so proud that you’re getting older, wiser and realizing that big sounds and big doings are all a part of growing up. Big ups to your school too for helping make Fire Drills a thrill instead of chilling!
And, hug your Mom. She needs love more than you know
Smooches,
Snead
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August 18th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Yay, Spiff!
(Now I am scared of what my guy is gonna do when they have fire drills: don’t think he’s been exposed to that yet. Argh.)
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August 18th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
We’re proud too!
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August 23rd, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Hi, I read your blog in reference to the fire drill dilemma. Exactly what did the 5th grade teacher do? I have the same exact problem with my son…I actually dropped him off crying this morning because he was mad I couldn’t get the school to cancel the drill. Please email me @ hmartinez@globalindustries.com. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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September 2nd, 2006 at 1:23 am
Hi! Found your post while Googling “Fear of fire drill”!! My previously unschooled daughter is about to give up school forever after the first day of school’s fire drill. This child has always feared loud noises though it seems more the anticipation of the sound more than the sound itself. I would love to know more about how your school worked with you to teach your son coping mechanisms. I’m taking my daughter in to see a wonderful pediatric hypnotherapist next week. I hope it helps!
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