School Struggle

It has been no secret that we have struggled with my son in school. He has had many obstacles to overcome and the journey hasn't always been easy. It's also been no secret that he struggles with ADHD.

Regardless of whether you think this is a made up disorder or a real disorder, I can tell you that I watch my son struggle with this disorder every day. Some days are better than others but he has had to continually learn to overcome.

This is his first year of middle school. A point at which many children sink or swim. I've been very blessed that the three older children have swam. They found their groove and school just clicked for them. That has not been the case for our youngest. Before school started, he would cry and ask me to homeschool him. It took every ounce of will power I had to send him to middle school. I can't tell you why I sent him there. The weeks leading up to school I had my own thoughts about homeschooling him. My husband and friends assured me that he would be fine and probably do well and that I was probably having conflicting emotions partly because our oldest is a senior this year and quickly turned 18 after the beginning of school. In my emotional mom mess, I decided to take the advice of those around me. After all, they were probably more sane than I was at the time.

Fast forward to now. Several phone calls from teachers that our youngest isn't completing his work. Notes in his agenda that he isn't completing his work. One teacher even went as far as to tell me "I need to get on my child for not doing his work." I won't even go into how mad I was and wanted to come through the phone and choke her. Ok, I guess I just did. I have emailed the teachers several times with no response. Well, I did get response from his band teacher. I love his band teacher. We have had three children have her for a teacher. I can't say enough good things about her. Plus my kids like her. But my son has an entire team of teachers that only respond with "he didn't complete his homework." Then get upset when I didn't sign his planner. Seriously?

We made med changes at the beginning of the year. I sent a few emails explaining that we changed meds and I would appreciate them letting me know if they notice ANY change. Good or bad. Since he spends most of his day with his teachers, you'd think they would be willing to help him so he can be more productive in his class. Again, my emails go unanswered.

This past week, I looked at my child, and thought, "Why did I fight  my mommy gut?" I felt my mommy gut telling me that he needed a different option but allowed others to talk me out of it. I believe that moms have that instinct for a reason. It's our caution radar.

Today, I sit here an emotional mess.......again. Why is it so difficult to find an education system that can teach kids that don't fit into a mold. Our son is extremely smart and capable of the work. He needs help remember to write assignments down and staying organized. I know our child isn't the only one that struggles with this. Why are teachers so willing to pass him off as lazy or a bad kid? Why do I have to sit once again struggling to find the best school option because the public school system is failing us?