Why a backpack? Because he's going to school! Holy cow. Holy. cow.
So, here's the info (as usual, it will probably be too much)
In Texas (and maybe other states, I just only know TX), the Early Childhood Intervention program (ECI) only goes until the child is 3. When a child with disabilities turns 3, the public school district where they live provides the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). This can be 5 full days of school if you choose. We've been meeting over the last 3 months and just had our last one today to finalize the "plans". Our plans are for him to go Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00-10:30. That is as long as he can go because they can't feed him. I'm fine with that though because I think that will be a good amount of time and he will be there for the bulk of the instruction time. While at school he will be in a classroom with 8 other kids ages 3-5. He has a main teacher and 2 helpers. I have met the teacher and she seems really good and I think she will be great for him. In addition to the normal school stuff, he will get PT, OT, Speech, and vision therapy. We will continue our home therapy (OT and PT twice a week) so the therapy at school will be a bonus! I really like the therapists that will be seeing him and feel like this is going to be great for him to have even more help with his development. Then again I feel bad for the kid. I'm sure he wants to say, "Seriously mom? More therapists... you gotta be kidding me!"
How do I feel about this?
I have mixed emotions. In a normal situation with a normal developing kid, I would NOT be ready to send them anywhere!!! I want my babies in my home. Not because I'm scared or overprotective but because I want them IN MY HOUSE making memories and growing up spending our days together. BUT we are well aware that this is not a normal situation and therefore some of our "plans" have had to change to do what we feel is best for Kanyon. I have no doubt that he will love going to school. He's such a social little guy and has already had tons of fun exploring the room and playing with his teacher and therapists. While we've been able to provide him with great therapy for his physical development, this will be a great opportunity to put him in an environment that will really encourgae his language development as well as social skills and other "life" skills. I'm excited to see what comes from this and have no doubt that it will be very good for Kanyon's whole development. I realize I keep using the word development, but that's kinda what this is all about.
On the flip side of all of this is everything I'm dreading. First of all, klp is NOT a morning person. We've been actively trying to adjust his bedtime to earlier so that he would start to wake up earlier. Yeah, so I WOKE HIM UP Sat. morning at 10am!!!! That is unusually late, but he would sleep til at least 9 if he could. Breakfast is and always has been his most difficult meal. So, our days are about to start WAY EARLIER that usual and I hate the idea of waking him up and having to feed him and get ready and rush out the door. I'm not a morning person either and am not good at getting everyone ready and out the door without it becoming a stressful nightmare. We live very close to the school, but will still probably have to be up by 6:30 to get everything done and there on time. Selfishly, I don't want him to get so used to waking up early that he wakes up that early on NON school days!!! This is going to seriously affect little qsp because he's gonna need to eat at some point in there (wihle we're getting klp ready) and he is usually asleep at 8am. Not sure what to do about that. Kory is gone by 7 at the latest, usually earlier, so I'll pretty much be on my own! I don't like the idea of loosing our mornings here at home. All in all I feel like my life is changing forever. Once this thing starts we'll never go back to the way its been. Just us rockin' and rollin' in the mornings leisurely getting ready for breakfast and that day's therapy (we have it almost every day but they come to us 3 out of the 4 days). It will never be like this again. I realize I'm sentimental and always have had a hard time letting go of where I am to go to what is next even if its a good thing. I just am not ready for this!!! The good thing is this will just be for 2 months and then we'll have summer but when Fall comes and school starts again it will be all of this all over. Of course I think about the fact that he will be sharing a classroom with other kids and that means.....you guessed it!! GERMS! I'm really not that worked up about that. It's going to be a part of the deal and I realize that and there is nothing I can do about it. So, we'll just pray for a strong immune system. Thankfully we can keep our normal home therapy, but that means finding new places to fit all of that in. We've been enjoying having Mondays therapy free, but now there will be no such thing as therapy free days. We'll have to work out our schedules to try and fit it all in and I'm not sure how that will happen. I have no major plans for my time while he's at school. I'd like to not completely ruin qsp's naps all 3 of those days so I may just spend most of the time at home getting things done around the house. It will be nice to be able to run errands without having to lug out the double stroller everywhere I go. Everyone keeps telling me it will be a nice "break". I realize that, but I don't feel like I need it. I'm sure I do and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but I think I was doing just fine without it! :)
Despite all of the bad things I've just ranted about, I am excited for Kanyon. I am praying this will be a great thing for him and am cautiously optimistic about seeing major leaps in different areas of his development (I've learned to not expect DRAMATIC changes to happen very quickly) and once we get in the swing of things, I'm sure we'll find all kinds of good things about it! I am thankful that I feel so confident in the school district and the teachers and therapists we've met. There is no way I would do this if I didn't feel good about the people that would be working with him.
So there you have it. Kanyon is going to school whether his mommy likes it or not. He will start next Tuesday. I'm not sure if I'll cry or not. Mostly I just get a really big sick pit. I'll hopefully take pics and will be able to post them soon.
The birthday is Friday. WOW. Have we really been at this Phillips Phamily thing for 3 years?!
11 comments:
Been sending up extra prayers for you this birthday week.... love ya. ;)
OH MY GOODNESS I am so excited about PPCD for him! Not as much for you, but some for you too. :) You know what I mean. Anyways, how he got to be THREE already is beyond me! But it will be WONDERFUL for him. And I know in our house, it is nice to have just time with Child Numero Dos while the eldest is at school. It's our only time with just "us"
, so it's special. I bet it will be for you and qsp too... he won't have all those naps for long, and y'all will get to hang out more! So win/win/win for all! I will be praying for the adjustments... gosh, kinda made my stomach hurt for you a little. We are NOT morning people either!!! But it'll be great... I can't believe he's big enough. Ugh. And YAY!
Hey Jamie,
I'm sure you've already heard lots of peoples stories and experiences, but just thought I let you know that our Tyler is in PPCD here in Denton and it has been an absolutely GREAT experience for him and us. He started PPCD this fall and has been going all year and LOVES it. We have been really pleased with his teachers, aides and the whole school. Ty even rides the bus home everyday and has enjoyed that too. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, please don't hesitate to call. I'm sure Kanyon will just love school!!!
Erin Rosser Westrom
Hey Jamie, I just thought of something that I should have thought of a long time ago. On Erin's blog, she has another blogger on there that you might be intested in reading about, it is called Life with the Ferrells at the bottom of her list of names of other bloggers. She writes alot of stuff about her son, and even though Kanyon and her son have something completely different, there are some things you will be able to relate to. I wanted to say something before I forgot, again! I am enjoying all the pictures of the boys and reading about your lives. Thanks for sharing, Pam
That is so great that he (yall) are getting this oppurtunity. I work witht the PPCD/Blended K program at my school and you and Kanyon will love it. They stay busy the WHOLE time and the OT,PT, etc...is awesome. Let me know if you have any questions...He is going to love it!! Good luck!!
such precious thoughts from you! you are doing a wonderful job being exactly the parents kanyon needs! so proud of you for doing what is best for your boys in each situation. and i for one can't wait to see that cutie wearing his backpack!
Slow and steady wins the race! Kanyon has come so far since I started reading your blog 3 years ago. I must admit, I cried watching him eat the Cheetos. Every milestone is simply a miracle! You are an AWESOME mom and such an inspiration to those of us blessed with healthy children. Your grace and diligence are truly awe inspiring! Words can not express what a beautiful person you truly are! God bless you and your beautiful family!
I have to give you some encouragement about the morning thing...I truly thought that it was impossible for me to adjust to getting up at 5:30 every day and getting Ellie and I both out the dor by 6:15. So much that I had anxiety attacks! And Todd thought his life was coming to an end that our child now wakes up every day at that time every day, including weekends! BUT we both love her schedule now and I really love vetting up and going so early. It makes me feel like I get so much accomplished, and Ellie goes to bed at 7:00pm for the night so we get that night time together. All of that to say, all of these changes might be hard but there are positives in the midst, you might not even realize some of them until after the fact but you and kanyon are fighters and you can adjust to anything!
You are such an incredible mommy~ I seriously have no idea how you juggle all that you do....you are amazing! I hope the little K man has fun at school and I'm sure you will miss him so much. When I have been away from B on the days he is at school, I miss him so much! It's definitely not easy handing him over, but I know that the teachers and therapists love him to pieces, plus B has become a TOTAL home-body so we are trying to get him "ok" with the outside world as much as possible :). Hugs to you all!!! I owe you an email soon....
Jaymie, you are Super Awesome Mom. I am excited with butterflies in my stomach thinking about next Tuesday. Mark and I both drive buses that transport children to PPCD. EVERYONE loves their little children. I think this is wonderful. Life won't be the same, but that seems to be what life is about. We will be eagerly watching for pictures of the big day.
Happy Birthday Kanyon Phillips.
I am so excited for you guys! I work in a program much like this in a school system in Tennessee (and yes, it is part of the IDEA law that the school system is responsible for services at age 3, so it is a national thing). Kanyon will have so many opportunities all day to learn and use his skills - he will probably be exhausted for those first few at least! I can't wait to hear how he blossoms more and more! You guys will be in my prayers - Happy Birthday klp!
Jaymie, Been thinking about you and your sweet family. Thank you for sharing your heart, I love reading your posts and learn so much from you. I'll be praying for this next new part of the journey with school for Kanyon and your whole family. You are doing an AMAZING job, all of your boys are so blessed to have you. The Lord is truly shining in you. Hang in there and know that you are thought of and prayed for!
Post a Comment