Help!

I have had the draft of this blog entry on my mind for nearly two months. I have so much to say, but I didn't know how to say it. I still don't because we're still so much "in the thick of it all".

After years of wondering, waiting, and advocating for Jack to get extra help with his schooling and absolutely no end in sight, we finally took the plunge outside of our school board. Jack finally got his psychological educational assessment, and has been diagnosed with two learning disabilities - one in writing and one in mathematics.

When we got the results it was a flurry of emotion, relief, sadness, and excitement. We finally have a better idea of how Jack's brain works, how to help him, when to push him, and when to let him take a break.

Armed with this report in our hands. I entered the school year hopeful that Jack would have an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) that reflected his specific needs shortly into the school year.  We're still waiting and advocating and waiting. I am sharing all of this with Jack's permission.

A friend posted this on Facebook and am I ever feeling this!

I feel like we saw the finish line of getting Jack what he needs and it turns out that it was just a mirage. We've been "in line" for supports and an IEP for years now. While his online homeroom teacher this year has been fantastic with him, I don't know when we'll get an IEP in our hands, when we'll get our IPRC meeting (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) to help him get what he needs, and when or how we will be able to get his disabilities recognized during his schooling as a part of his Human Rights.

I am hopeful that this will all be resolved and in place by the end of this school year, but with the pandemic I just don't know if that's going to happen. Some days it makes me want to scream, cry, and other days I can't help but laugh at how broken this "one size fits most" educational system is. 

Jack is doing well with some adhoc interventions this year so far, with my being freelance I have become his scribe, help him keep his focus, IT tech support for both kids, and continue my role as his advocate. 

Although it's been good for the most part we've had some setbacks. Sometimes I'm on a tight deadline and can't help, sometimes I lose my patience with technology, or with him, and then I feel awful. 

This week has been rough because of a disruption in routine. Previously both kids skipped one afternoon a week of distance learning to participate in an outdoor nature "school" at High Park. It has been great. It's entirely outdoors, and lets them interact with other kids during the pandemic. Unfortunately with rising numbers of COVID-19 in Toronto it's been paused until further notice.  Jack has been a wreck.  We're limiting screen time off hours, I'm giving him more breaks, we're all still learning.

I am frustrated. I am upset that because Jack doesn't have behavioural issues and is quiet often going into his own head when he is overwhelmed it has meant that him getting help through the school board has been given minimal priority. He doesn't disrupt a classroom and he is lost in a sea of other kids. He has maintained marks just below grade level - something he has worked so hard on with the help of us and a tutor to achieve, something most people can't afford. 

I am also thankful. Because of our family and our jobs we have been in a position to be able to supplement learning with a regular tutor for one on one instruction for both kids for two and a half years now. It has helped improved Jack's confidence and given me a break, allowing me more non-academic time with both kids. We were also able to afford Jack's assessment, something that we'd likely remain on the waiting list for until he was in middle school if we relied on the school board alone. My job allows me to give him the support myself that he needs during remote learning, because there are no resources available otherwise.

I am well aware of how unfair this system is and how easy we have it compared to many other parents. I just wish things weren't so slow, that it wasn't so hard to get him what he needs. 

Right now I'm working on getting him the tools he needs and helping him to begin to advocate for himself because where I sign off he'll have to take over as he grows up. Thank you to everyone who is helping us along this long and interesting path.  Cheers to more answers in 2021!

Things My Kids Say As Posted On Twitter

Right now I feel we could all use a laugh. Sometimes my kids are funny. So I'm going to share this roundup and snippets of recent conversations I've had with M&J as shared on Twitter.

"Please keep that gemstone out of your breakfast. You're going to choke." and other fun moments in parenting

Reason 127 my kids are fighting today M: We're playing superheroes and he keeps saying his power is vomiting acid and he's killed me three times in a row and it isn't fair. 

J: Why can't I draw myself with a moustache for my self portrait for French class? Me: Because you don't have a moustache. J: You mean I don't have a moustache yet.

J: Clifford the dog is ridiculous. I just don't get it, I've never seen a bright red dog in real life. Me: That's your problem? J: Yes, and the whole lack of explanation about why he's a giant. #kidsbooks

J: Who are the bad guys in Sharknado? Me: Umm the sharks. J: But that's so unrealistic, sharks barely hurt anyone in real life. (The boy clearly hasn't seen Ian Ziering chainsaw a shark in half midair yet)

Feeling old. It turns out all this time when I mentioned the 90s M thought I was talking about the 1890's. #parenting

J: There's some guy on our porch. Me: That's postal delivery. J: Aww man. I was hoping he'd have pizza.

M: Aren't there five seasons? Autumn, winter, spring, summer & gelato?

Watching Garfield Halloween special. M: I really enjoy Garfield, but something about John just makes me feel so sad.

M: Remember when you made fun of me for putting bacon in my pocket as a snack for later? Me: Yeah. M: You were wrong. No wild dogs chased me. (She sure showed me).

Hiking Rattlesnake Point

 It's not very often you get double digits let alone daily temperature highs approaching 20 in early November. This past weekend we knew we had to take advantage and hike as much as we could. We weren't the only ones with this idea which meant traffic on the way to this hike was heavy and parking was hard to find (even with the 2 hour window registration bookings). This is a Halton region hike where your reservation is tracked using your license place and it cost just under $25 for the four of us to hike.

We tackled the well maintained Buffalo Crag Lookout Trail (3.2KM) which took us about an hour to complete including a couple of breaks for looking at stunning views, photos, climbing some rocks, and an afternoon snack.

This is a easy to moderate trail with some hills, rocks, tree roots and a number of unfenced drop offs and cliffs. Keep toddlers strapped to you and little ones nearby. Pets are permitted on this trail if kept on leash.

Noses beware! Since this trail overlooks a lot of farm fields you may get some wafts of manure while you hike, but it is only for a small portion of the trail.

While the fall colours are long gone, the nice weather and scenic views atop the escarpment made for beautiful hike.

Caves and rocks made for good exploring and climbing along the way.

Recent dry leaves made for some excellent crunching.

Stunning lookouts that would have been particularly gorgeous a couple of weeks ago when the fall colours were at their peak.

Fun fact for fans of the CBC show Schitt's Creek, a pivotal moment in season 5 happened right here. 

I highly recommend this hike and will try to get it on our list for earlier next fall so I can capture all the gold and reds on the trees. 

Hoping to get two or three more hikes in before the snow flies.  Wish us luck!